By Frank Pingue
Feb 4 (Reuters) - Drake Maye will play in his first Super Bowl on Sunday when he leads the New England Patriots against the Seattle Seahawks at the same venue where he once watched the NFL's biggest game from the stands as a starry-eyed middle schooler.
Maye sat alongside his father at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, for Super Bowl 50 as the Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers.
Now the 23-year-old second-year quarterback suddenly finds himself at the helm of an offense
trying to lead the Patriots to a record seventh Super Bowl title in what he calls a "full circle moment."
"My dad was fortunate enough to bring me out here and have a chance to watch the Super Bowl as a young kid, and just knowing that I'm here now is a full-circle moment," said Maye.
"And just thanks to my dad for making a middle school kid's dream come true, and now I get a chance to make my own dream come true."
Maye, a third-overall draft pick in 2024 who is enjoying a breakout season, got another look at Levi's Stadium last season when he served as backup during the Patriots' 30-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
But this time, naturally, feels different.
"We played in San Francisco here last (season), and I got a chance... it wasn't the same, you know, type of environment with the Super Bowl here," said Maye.
"But you got a chance to walk in that stadium and just memories of here and know I got family around here.
"So I've been out here a few times, but I definitely think a little bit when they're playing the Super Bowl, it's the same game here just 10 years later. It's pretty cool and definitely a time to reflect, but I got a ball game to win at the same time."
Maye's right throwing shoulder appeared on the injury report after the Patriots punched their Super Bowl ticket with a win over the top-seeded Broncos in the AFC Championship, raising questions about his availability for the title game.
However, Maye brushed aside any concerns about his fitness.
"I'm feeling great. You know, I'm so fortunate to be out here with these guys," said Maye.
"We got a full week of practice. You know, it's felt good, you know, on Monday and looking forward to getting back out there today and tomorrow and Friday and having a normal week. So looking forward to that and feeling good."
(Reporting by Frank PingueEditing by Toby Davis)
