Super Bowl excitement is reaching a fever pitch across the United States, with one small Massachusetts community poised to make a unique and playful gesture of support for their local heroes. As fans of the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots descend upon San Francisco for the climactic showdown at Levi's Stadium, the town of Maynard is contemplating a temporary name alteration to celebrate their team's appearance in the championship game.
A Playful Proposal Gains Momentum
On Tuesday, it was revealed that Maynard's Select Board is exploring the possibility of adding an 'E' to the town's name, transforming it into 'Mayenard' as a tribute to Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. This whimsical idea, which has captured the imagination of residents and football enthusiasts alike, is intended to generate community spirit and honour the team's remarkable journey to Super Bowl LX.
David Gavin, a member of the Maynard Select Board, emphasised the light-hearted nature of the proposal. 'This is all about having fun, generating excitement and really celebrating the Patriots making another Super Bowl,' Gavin stated. He extended a warm invitation to the star player, adding, 'We would absolutely love to have Drake Maye visit Maynard, he's welcome any time.'
From Community Chatter to Viral Sensation
The concept first emerged in January, when passionate Patriots supporters within the community began suggesting various name changes. Gavin recalled the growing enthusiasm, noting, 'There were people in our community who started saying, 'You've got to make this happen.'' Initially sceptical about the team's Super Bowl prospects, Gavin responded, 'If they make the Super Bowl,' never really believing that they would.
However, as the Patriots advanced through the playoffs, the calls for the name change grew louder and more persistent. 'Then as each game went along, it kept getting louder: 'This is something that you really should consider,'' Gavin explained. The board decided to proceed with the idea, and it has since evolved into a widespread phenomenon. 'We went forward with it and it has turned into a viral sensation far beyond anything that I would have imagined,' Gavin remarked. 'Everybody is excited, everybody is talking about it. It's just been a positive four or five days where it's just sort of exploded.'
A decision on the proposed name change is expected by Tuesday night, allowing the town to potentially implement the alteration in time for the Super Bowl festivities.
Drake Maye's Personal Life in the Spotlight
Meanwhile, Drake Maye himself has been preparing for the biggest game of his career while also sharing heartfelt sentiments about his personal life. The Patriots quarterback recently paid a glowing tribute to his wife, Ann Michael, ahead of the Super Bowl, describing his decision to marry her as 'one of the best decisions I made in my life.'
The couple are rapidly becoming one of the NFL's most prominent new power pairs, with their public profile set to soar if Maye can lead the Patriots to victory against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Ann Michael, who became an instant fan favourite when Maye was drafted by New England in 2024, has seen her own stardom increase in recent months thanks to her endearing baking series.
Her viral 'Bakemas' TikTok videos catapulted her into the spotlight before Christmas, and the 22-year-old continued her ascent to fame last month when she publicly supported her husband during the AFC Championship game. As Super Bowl Sunday approaches, both the town of Maynard and the Maye family are poised for a weekend of unprecedented attention and celebration.
