Sam Howell and Drake Maye first crossed paths well before their friendship fully formed, each aware of the other due to their connections to the University of North Carolina and its sports legacy. Maye was born into a family renowned for athletic achievements: his father, Mark Maye, was a quarterback at UNC, and his brothers excelled in basketball and baseball, with Luke and Beau playing basketball for UNC and Luke famously hitting a game-winning shot that helped the Tar Heels reach the 2017 Final Four. Cole Maye, their third brother, secured a national baseball championship with Florida that same year. Former UNC offensive coordinator Phil Longo likened the Maye family to “the Mannings of North Carolina,” highlighting their remarkable competitive spirit and athletic success.
Drake Maye followed the football path, and he and Howell, both quarterbacks, first became familiar with each other through seven-on-seven leagues held around Charlotte. Their friendship deepened during their time at UNC, where Howell was the established starter, and Maye served as his backup when Maye joined the Tar Heels in 2021. Despite the natural rivalry for the same position, the two quickly developed a close bond, often described by former coach Mack Brown as being “attached at the hip.” This connection extended far beyond football and illustrated their mutual respect and competitive nature.
Competing and Bonding Off the Field
Howell and Maye’s rivalry was intense not only on the field but in various off-field competitions such as golf and ping-pong, displaying their relentless drive to outperform each other. Phil Longo recounted Maye’s fierce competitiveness:
“Drake was so competitive, if I said, ‘Hey, I’m going to get to the doorknob before you do, he would jump over a table to get there. That’s just kind of how he was. [Sam was] that way, too.”
Their shared determination kept their friendship dynamic, fueled by their eagerness to improve together.
Even after Howell was drafted by the Washington Commanders in 2022 and Maye entered the NFL with the New England Patriots in 2024, the two maintained frequent communication, speaking on FaceTime almost daily. Their NFL careers have taken different paths: Howell, now 25, has moved across teams including the Commanders, Seahawks, Vikings, and Eagles, primarily serving as a backup, while Maye, 23, is set to start for the Patriots in Super Bowl LX in only his second NFL season. Howell has shown unwavering support, attending every Patriots playoff game since the Eagles were eliminated and traveling to the Bay Area to cheer on Maye. Reflecting on Maye’s rise, Howell said,
“He’s worked his whole life to be where he is and he’s getting what he deserves. He was made for the big moments and I have no doubt he’ll be ready to go.”
Howell’s Football Dedication and Influence on Maye
Phil Longo described Sam Howell as a “football junkie,” someone who immersed himself in studying the game even before officially joining UNC. Longo noted that Howell, who began engaging with the team’s offensive scheme as early as late 2018, had memorized the entire offense so thoroughly that by the time he arrived on campus in January, he was mentally prepared for the playbook. According to Longo, this dedication was rare and impressive, with Howell consistently contributing new ideas and play concepts during practice discussions.
This high level of engagement set a benchmark for Maye. Longo recalled,
“Drake may not admit this, or remember it, but it got to a point where any time I asked an open question and didn’t direct it at one individual quarterback, Sam would always answer first, and obviously he was correct. But Drake was competitive, and [he would] try to answer the question first, and beat Sam out.”
Their competitive spirit pushed both quarterbacks to raise their game. While Howell was the starter, Maye embraced the backup role without resentment, instead taking advantage of the opportunity to learn and grow alongside his teammate.
A Partnership Built on Trust and Learning
Their relationship thrived on mutual feedback and mentorship. After games, Maye often awaited Howell’s analysis while standing on the sidelines, providing insights into plays and tendencies. Mack Brown highlighted this unique fraternity, saying,
“You had two great minds that were talking about every play. And one of them, out of the action, standing over there watching, could say, ‘Here’s what I saw. Look for this.’ It’s very unusual to have two people competing for the same [role] that care about each other so much, respect each other so much. And that’s the reason it worked. For me, as a head coach, it was like a marriage made in heaven.”
Their contrasting styles complemented each other: Maye excelled at off-platform accuracy, a skill attributed to his footwork improved through years of youth basketball—a sport strongly represented in the Maye family. Howell brought physicality and strength that allowed him to run through defenders. Maye tended to vocalize his leadership openly, while Howell often encouraged teammates in a more private manner. Howell acknowledged the positive impact Maye had on him, sharing,
“When he was backing me up at Carolina, he was really good at making me feel very confident going into games. And just trying to give me that last sense of peace. Before every game in college he’d tell me I was the best player on the field. Little things like that. He’s a great leader, great motivator.”
Off-Field Competitiveness and Rivalry
Howell and Maye’s competitive streak extended beyond football into leisure activities, turning golf and ping-pong into intense contests. Longo remembered a recruiting event where their ping-pong match lasted until the lights went out, and training camp often saw escalating rounds of battles to the point of exhaustion. In 2021, Maye introduced Howell to golf, which quickly turned into yet another fierce competition. Mack Brown remarked,
“I would see them afterwards. They’d say, ‘Oh man, he got me by four strokes.’ It was like the U.S. Open or something. It wasn’t like two quarterbacks going out to play. And the other one would say, ‘Yeah, but I just missed a putt or I would have beaten him.’ It was like two little kids going at each other’s throats.”
Howell added,
“Sometimes people invite us out to play, and they’re surprised with how the round is going. There’ll be times in the round where we’re not talking to each other and stuff like that. It’s a lot of fun.”
Shared Moments and Ongoing Support
After Howell completed his time at UNC, their friendship endured through the fluctuating challenges of professional football. In September 2022, months following Howell’s drafting by the Commanders, he attended a UNC road game against Appalachian State, witnessing Maye’s remarkable performance that included five touchdowns and 428 total yards in a 63-61 victory. Howell was nearby when Maye scored a touchdown and shared a celebratory high five and hug with his longtime friend. Maye later reflected,
“I told him, after I ran it in, I should have gotten on a knee and held the ball up to him, because what he did here [at UNC] is pretty incredible.”
Shortly before Maye’s final college season, the two even became roommates in Chapel Hill during Howell’s NFL offseason. Their time together was filled with workouts, golf rounds, and gaming sessions featuring board games like Catan and video games such as EA Sports’ PGA Tour, strengthening their bond further as they prepared for pro careers.
Maintaining a Lifelong Friendship in the NFL
Maye was selected third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, while Howell experienced multiple trades, moving from the Commanders to the Seahawks, then the Vikings, and most recently the Eagles. Despite the shifting nature of their professional circumstances, they remained in regular contact, exchanging insights about defenses and supporting each other through victories and setbacks.
Howell spoke about Maye’s constant encouragement, saying,
“Even when I was playing in the NFL and we weren’t winning a lot, he would always still call me to instill confidence in me. He’s great about that.”
Since the Eagles’ elimination from the playoffs, Howell has attended each of Maye’s games, culminating in his presence at Super Bowl LX, where Maye will make his debut on one of the sport’s largest stages.
Before the big game, Howell plans to offer reassurance to Maye, telling him,
“I’ll definitely talk to him before the game. Let him know that he was born for these moments, and he’s going to light it up.”
Their friendship, forged through mutual respect, fierce competition, and unwavering support, continues to be a powerful influence as both quarterbacks navigate the demands and opportunities of the NFL.
