Drake Maye Shows Off His Selfless Side

North Carolina quarterback (QB) Drake Maye continues to make waves in the world of college football.

Earlier this year, Maye sat down with former teammate and current Washington Commanders QB, Sam Howell. Both Tar Heels attended TABLE’s annual charity dinner on May 19 in Carrboro, North Carolina.

The fundraiser included a catered dinner and an auction to benefit TABLE’s mission.

A commendable cause

“We are thrilled by the success of this second annual fundraiser, grown out of the relationship built with Sam Howell and, now, Drake Maye, that has helped us raise more than $600,000 toward our capital campaign over the last two years,” says Ashton Tippins, Executive Director for TABLE. 

TABLE is a non-profit organization that focuses on childhood hunger in Orange County, North Carolina. Since many individuals don’t have the proper means of transportation that allow for a balanced diet, the group features a unique distribution model that involves the delivery of food directly to children’s homes. 

TABLE also makes efforts to provide a variety of food groups to accommodate for children’s allergies, vegetarian/vegan preferences, and ethnic/religious diets.

“We now have only $350,000 left to complete the budget for purchasing our new, much-needed, space in downtown Carrboro,” Tippins says. “With more than 125 children currently on our waitlist, we are working to move into that space by this fall, to reach as many children in our Orange County community as possible.”

Heels4Life, UNC’s official Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) collective says they have a history of working with TABLE. In the past, the two groups have partnered to help prepare the food bags that are delivered to the homes of children in need.

Volunteering isn’t a new concept to Maye

“It was an honor to help TABLE raise vital funds for their food programs,” quoted Maye. “There is such a need in our community – right in our own backyard. I was happy to join my teammates and provide assistance!”

The UNC quarterback hasn’t been as busy as other college athletes in terms of NIL. There are players with over a dozen deals related to apparel, vehicles, restaurants, and more. This is great for others, but not everyone is as excited by these types of partnerships.

Aside from TABLE, Maye previously worked locally with the Ronald McDonald House Charities. According to ABC, “he has [an] interest in doing charity work in his home area of Charlotte.”

The fact that Maye is willing to spend time supporting a brand that is centered around children’s hunger and health speaks volumes. His efforts are inspiring, not just for other football players, but for fans and individuals of all kinds.

All-around talent

Maye isn’t just shining off the field. The 21-year-old has been working hard this season to lead his team to victories. The 6-foot-4 QB has contributed 2,249 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and only five interceptions, according to ESPN. Maye also received a QBR of 77.3, which puts him top-20 on ESPN’s list of the 2023 Total QBR Season Leaders. The ranking “values the quarterback on all play types on a 0-100 scale adjusted for the strength of opposing defenses faced.”

Overall, he is having a phenomenal season and continues to demonstrate why he is worthy of a first-round pick in next year’s draft.

Victoria Jonach is an aspiring writer and media analyst fascinated by what kinds of activities players participate in off the football field. Growing up in New Jersey, she is a New York Giants fan and attends Rutgers University, pursuing a career in Journalism and Media Studies. She writes for FirstRoundMock.com covering anticipated draft picks and their acts of volunteerism, entrepreneurship, and other interests that shape these individuals.