Just weeks after the heartbreak of Super Bowl LX, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is trading the football field for something very different—temples, travel, and a global family reunion.
Drake Maye Escapes Super Bowl Heartbreak With Japan Getaway Alongside Wife Ann Michael
For most NFL stars, the weeks following a Super Bowl loss are filled with reflection and recovery. For New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, the offseason has started with a different kind of journey—one that has taken him thousands of miles away from the pressure of football.
After falling short in Super Bowl LX on February 11, Maye and his wife Ann Michael Maye set off on a much-needed vacation designed to recharge both body and mind. Their travels first brought them to the tropical shores of Hawaii, where the couple spent time relaxing and decompressing following the emotional end to the season.
But their trip didn’t stop there.
Soon after their Hawaiian getaway, the couple boarded an early morning flight and headed across the Pacific to Japan, beginning the next chapter of what has turned into a memorable offseason adventure.
Ann Michael has been documenting the journey through social media, offering fans a glimpse into the couple’s travels—from their first-class flight to Tokyo to breathtaking cultural landmarks across Japan.
One of the highlights of their trip so far has been a visit to Ninnaji Temple in Kyoto, one of the city’s most historic and picturesque sites. Photos and videos shared online show the couple exploring the temple grounds and soaking in the quiet beauty of the centuries-old architecture.
But the trip is more than just sightseeing.
A major reason for the Japan visit appears to be family.
Drake’s brother, Luke Maye, currently plays professional basketball in Japan’s B.League for the Kobe Storks, giving the quarterback a rare opportunity to combine travel with supporting family abroad.
The visit could potentially include attending one of Luke’s games, turning the vacation into a unique moment where two professional athletes from the same family reconnect on opposite sides of the sports world.
For Drake Maye, the timing of the trip couldn’t be more important.
The NFL season is famously grueling, especially for quarterbacks carrying the weight of a franchise. Leading the Patriots to the Super Bowl was an achievement in itself, but falling short on the biggest stage left a bitter ending to an otherwise remarkable season.
Stepping away from the field—if only temporarily—can help players reset mentally before the next chapter begins.
And judging by the images shared online, the Mayes are making the most of the opportunity.
From sampling local cuisine to visiting cultural landmarks and enjoying quiet moments together, the trip offers a rare break from the constant spotlight of professional football.
Their travels also highlight something often overlooked about today’s NFL stars: the league’s growing global reach.
With players and families traveling internationally—and in this case even connecting through professional sports overseas—the influence of American football continues expanding beyond traditional borders.
For now, though, Drake Maye isn’t focused on the next season.
He’s focused on the moment.
The Mayes are expected to continue exploring Japan in the coming days, potentially including time in Kobe where Luke plays.
Eventually, the quarterback will return to New England to prepare for the next NFL campaign.
But before that happens, the Patriots star is embracing the rare opportunity to step away from the pressure of the game—recharging, reconnecting with family, and experiencing a different side of the world.
Because sometimes the best way to prepare for the next season… is to leave football behind for a little while.
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