Charlotte is about to take center stage at the Super Bowl now that the New England Patriots secured their spot in the big game. Quarterback Drake Maye and center Garrett Bradbury helped New England beat the Denver Broncos 10-7 in the AFC Championship game yesterday.
The Patriots will now face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
23-year-old Drake Maye will now become the youngest quarterback to ever start a Super Bowl. He also enters the game after an MVP-caliber season and a major turnaround under first-year coach Mike Vrabel.
Maye’s path started at Charlotte’s Myers Park High School, where he threw for 3,512 yards and 50 touchdowns in 2019. In the NFL, he finished the 2025 regular season with 4,394 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
Garrett Bradbury brings another Charlotte connection to the Patriots’ lineup. He played at Charlotte Christian, then won the Rimington Trophy at NC State as the nation’s top center. New England signed him in 2025 on a two-year deal worth up to $12 million, strengthening protection in front of Maye.
For Charlotte, the matchup turns Super Bowl week into a local showcase. It also puts Myers Park and Charlotte Christian back on the national football map.
