Newly-Signed Patriots DB Remembers Drake Maye's Rookie Heroics
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Newly-Signed Patriots DB Remembers Drake Maye's Rookie Heroics
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws while in the grasp of Tennessee Titans safety Mike Brown (44) during their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. It was the last play of regulation and the New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) came up with the reception in the end zone to force overtime. The play lasted more than 11 seconds as Mayes kept the play alive under constant pressure. | Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
With four seconds left in regulation, the then-Tennessee Titansdefensive back was on the field for the final play of the fourth quarter. TheNew England Patriotswere trailing by seven and had just one lasp gasp to try and tie the game.
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Miraculously,Patriots quarterback Drake Maye-- then a rookie making just his fourth-career start -- made magic happen. He rolled in and out of the pocket with ease, evading tacklers before lofting up a prayer towards the end zone. One of those tacklers was Brown, who had Maye in his arms at the time of the throw.
Running backRhamondre Stevensoncame down with the football, sending the game to overtime.
"I ended up just blitzing out of the deep half because my guy got pushed out of bounds," Brown told reporters after voluntary offseason workouts. "And the guy caught it too? That was a crazy play."
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws while in the grasp of Tennessee Titans safety Mike Brown (44) during their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. It was the last play of regulation and the New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) came up with the reception in the end zone to force overtime. The play lasted more than 11 seconds as Mayes kept the play alive under constant pressure. | Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
New England Patriots safety Mike Brown addresses the media following a voluntary offseason workout. | Ethan Hurwitz / Patriots On SI
"(He's a) great player," Brown said. "I mean, it was tough scouting against him as well. But just seeing him ... the type of leader he is, and he just puts his head down at work."
It's been a few years removed from that play in Nashville. Entering 2026, with hisformer head coach Mike Vrabelat the helm, he hopes that the "hardworking" persona of the Patriots that he's seen as an outsider can carry into his tenure in Foxboro.
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"(The Patriots will) outwork everybody, smart, physical, do the little things right," Brown said about his impressions onNew Englandbefore signing. "I would say Mike Vrabel played a huge part in that. Been around him before, so I know what kind of coach I'mma get ... I wanted to be a part of that again."
