New England Patriots - NESN.com
Drake Maye seems to be done emulating Cam Newton.
The New England Patriots became the first NFL team to reach 10 wins when defeating the Cincinnati Bengals. Before the game, Maye and Stefon Diggs appeared to have some fun over the week’s discourse surrounding Newton.
Newton called the Patriots’ hot start “fool’s gold” on ESPN and stayed on the offensive after Maye dismissed the commentary. The 23-year-old quarterback slyly referenced the drama at Foxborough.
Maye and Diggs performed a choreographed handshake prior to the afternoon game’s kickoff when the wide receiver broke out Newton’s signature “Superman” celebration. Maye shook his head, seemingly rejecting the gesture, before he laughed and finished his routine with Diggs.
The NFL shared the moment on social media.
Maye grew up in Carolina watching Newton play for the Panthers. He paid tribute to the MVP quarterback when conducting the “Superman” celebration during New England’s Week 4 win over his former hometown team.
Newton didn’t convey the same admiration for Maye when questioning the Patriots’ legitimacy. He claimed the Patriots have coasted off an easy schedule and will be a “one-and-done” playoff team.
Maye didn’t pay much attention to the former New England signal-caller’s analysis.
“I don’t even know what show he’s on,” Maye said on Wednesday. “I think they get paid to make remarks and make certain comments. So, I just worry about what people in our organization think, and worry about what we think and what my teammates think. People are going to have different opinions. I’m just going out there on Sunday and worrying about ourselves.”
Newton stood by his “fool’s gold” label, and “First Take” panelist Stephen A. Smith accused Maye of lying about not watching the ESPN show. Meanwhile, Maye propelled the Patriots to their ninth straight win with a career-high 294 passing yards on Sunday.
