SANTA CLARA, Calif. — In the front corner of the New England Patriots’ quarterbacks room sits an unusual piece of equipment: a fresh-squeeze orange juice machine valued at around $10,000. Purchased by quarterback Drake Maye in early November, the device has quietly become a vital part of the Patriots’ routine, offering a fresh source of vitamin C and hydration amid the rigors of flu season and team practices.
Maye’s new addition is more than just a luxury item; it has evolved into an essential wellness tool that players and coaches alike have come to rely on for both taste and health benefits.
From secrecy to widespread acclaim within the team
Although the machine has been in use for several months, many outside the quarterbacks’ circle had no idea it existed. Players like Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson expressed surprise upon hearing about it, reflecting the device’s discreet integration into the team environment.
Patriots left guard Ben Brown admitted he himself only learned about the machine after overhearing breakfast chatter about it. Curious, he tried the freshly squeezed orange juice and quickly became a fan.
“It was a well-kept secret. I hadn’t heard about it for a while,”
said Brown.
“And then I heard someone mention it at breakfast one morning, so I had to try it. And it was phenomenal. Delicious.”
The machine’s role explained by the Patriots’ quarterbacks coach
Ashton Grant, the Patriots quarterbacks coach, shed light on the addition to the team’s facilities.
“Drake bought this very expensive orange juice machine for the room,”
Grant explained.
“It’s a fresh-squeeze juicer, and now it’s like the most popular juice machine in the building.”
The machine quickly gained popularity not just with quarterbacks but throughout the Patriots’ staff, so much so that there was even discussion about flying the juicer out to Super Bowl week.
“It’s the best thing that’s ever been brought into a locker room that I’ve been around,”
said Tommy DeVito, the Patriots’ backup quarterback.
“Anywhere I go, I will be requesting an orange juice machine, probably from a rookie or a nutritionist or somebody, because it’s just awesome. It’s like a vibe center.”
How the juice machine came to be and its growing influence
The machine’s installation was spearheaded by Ted Harper, the team’s head sports dietician, at Maye’s request. A day before it arrived, Maye asked DeVito whether he liked orange juice, teasing that soon they’d both experience something new.
Since its arrival, the machine has been running nearly nonstop to satisfy growing demand. Players and coaches from various positions, including tight ends, offensive linemen, and defensive assistants, frequently drop by the quarterbacks room for a glass of the fresh juice, especially during the peak of cold and flu season.
“I’ve heard it’s the best orange juice anybody’s ever had,”
said linebacker Jack Gibbens.
Garrett Bradbury, Maye’s starting center and close friend, shared simple reasoning behind why the machine was sought after.
“Drake doesn’t drink coffee, he doesn’t drink energy drinks,”
Bradbury said.
“He likes orange juice.”
Rising health benefits and camaraderie built around the juice
The juice machine has provided more than just a taste sensation. Its high vitamin C content has been a critical part of the team’s efforts to stay healthy during a challenging flu season. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels mentioned that coaches and players received constant reminders to hydrate and boost their vitamin intake as illness spread through the league.
The availability of fresh-squeezed orange juice in the quarterbacks room became a sanctuary for health-conscious players, drawing many to stop by for a nutritional boost. DeVito, who has battled colds every NFL season, credited the juice for his unusually healthy stretch this year.
“I’ve been drinking that damn orange juice every day,”
DeVito stated.
“And I’ve been good.”
How the machine works and why demand is high
To use the machine, players simply select the number of oranges they want, which then get sliced and juiced fresh. The juice pours out a few moments later, ensuring optimal flavor and nutrients. Ted Harper regularly stocks additional boxes of oranges to keep up with the continuous thirst the machine has inspired.
The coaching staff was the first to widely embrace the juicer’s reputation. Mike Smith, the outside linebackers coach, was the one who estimated the machine’s $10,000 price and expressed amazement at the flavor.
“I’m thinking, is it that good? And it is. It’s remarkable. It’s just flat-out unbelievable,”
Smith said.
“Best orange juice I’ve ever had in my life. I feel bad going in there because you always have to have fresh oranges, and I feel like a lot of people are taking advantage of it. So, I only used it once.”
Mixed reactions among players toward the juice craze
Despite widespread enthusiasm, not everyone on the Patriots has embraced the machine. Backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs, seated near the juicer daily, has yet to sample the juice and expressed a clear disinterest.
“Oh, don’t get me started with that orange juice machine,”
Dobbs said.
“I’m not an orange juice (person). I’ve never had orange juice before, so I haven’t tried it. Everyone comes in like, ‘Oh, it’s the world’s greatest orange juice, and everything.’ Everyone loves it. OK.”
Wide receiver DeMario Douglas also stays away from the juicer, preferring his usual Sunny D, yet he acknowledges the machine’s magnetic pull among teammates and staff.
“They say if you’re feeling sick, go get that orange juice,”
Douglas said,
“and you’re gonna bounce back.”
Recent illness and recovery underline the juice’s perceived benefits
Last week, Maye himself missed a Friday practice due to illness, but quickly rebounded to fly to the Bay Area and resume full practice activity just days later. His teammates, including Bradbury, have frequently used the juicer since.
Bradbury, who has battled intermittent sickness recently, credited the juice machine with helping his recovery.
“When I found out about the machine, I certainly had (OJ) every day. Then I kind of fell off of it a little bit,”
Bradbury recalled.
“And then once I got sick, I was like, ‘I need to get back to the orange juice.’ And I certainly did.”
The broader meaning of the orange juice machine for the Patriots
The introduction of this costly fresh-squeeze juicer underscores how even small innovations and personal preferences can have far-reaching effects on team health and morale. Beyond individual benefits, it has fostered communal moments within the Patriots’ clubhouse, bringing players and coaches together to share more than just a drink.
As the Patriots continue their rigorous season, the juicer stands as a testament to the ways modern athletes seek to blend technology, nutrition, and team culture. Whether this fresh-squeeze machine becomes a standard fixture throughout the NFL remains to be seen, but for now, it serves as a secret weapon keeping New England’s quarterbacks and teammates energized and battle-ready.
