Patriots’ Drake Maye uniting key Massachusetts figures at upcoming charity event

NHL Boston Bruins Alum Zdeno Chara — Boston Bruins alum Zdeno Chara was an incredibly decorated player for the Bruins who brought pride to Boston from his years with the National Hockey League team from 2006 to 2020. He won the Norris Trophy with Boston in 2009 as the best defenseman and helped the Bruins to win the Stanley Cup in 2011 for the first time since 1972.

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PWHL Boston Fleet Jill Saulnier — Keller’s teammate of Jill Saulnier will also join in on the Softball Classic. She won a Gold Medal with Team Canada at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games and earned a Silver Medal at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games.

NHL San Jose Sharks Will Smith — Budding, young NHL star Will Smith became the highest draft pick in Boston College history when he was selected at No. 4 overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2023 Draft. A proud Boston native, Smith comes from a long line of BC alumni and has been doing offseason training throughout Mass. this summer.

NHL Seattle Kraken Matty Beniers — Hingham, Mass. native Matty Beniers was the first-ever NHL Draft pick of the expansion Seattle Kraken when he was chosen No. 2 in the 2021 NHL Draft. He has previously credited playing outdoor and street hockey in Hingham as part of the reason he made it to the NHL.

Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy — Dave Portnoy invented Barstool Sports after getting his start distributing gambling tip sheets across Boston subway stations. He is a Swampscott, Mass. native who has previously praised Maye’s on-field QB skillset across social media.

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Comedian Matt Rife — Stand-up comic Matt Rife is new to the New England area and recently moved right across the street from Gillette Stadium. Despite being from Ohio, Rife quickly engulfed himself into the Patriots fanbase and chose to immerse himself into the local community following his move.

The New England Patriots cheerleaders will also be present, with veteran Kaitlyn Savary and rookie Jade Bucci slated to attend.

Team Patriots vs. Team Sox

The two teams playing in the softball game will be Team Patriots versus Team Sox.

Team Patriots features the Mayes, Allen, Campbell, Keller, Saulnier, Onwenu, Henry, Douglas, Stevenson, Doubs and Chara. This team will be coached by Vrabel.

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Team Sox will be coached by McDaniels and consists of Gonzalez, Schooler, Portnoy, Rife, Smith, Beniers, DeVito, Jones Hollins, Spillane, Wilson, Edelman and Westover.

Other MayeDay Family Foundation Celebrity Softball Classic information

Maye said in a press release that he is excited to give back to the New England community that has provided him so much support in his ongoing career.

“Ann Michael and I are excited to launch the MayeDay Family Foundation to give back to the communities that have so strongly supported us,” said Maye. “It’s important for us to provide help for kids and families in need and we are looking forward to partnering with great organizations in New England.”

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This was clearly reflected in who the foundation chose to attend the inaugural event with such strong ties to New England— indicating a clear nod by the Mayes for all of their gratitude to the Mass. community.

The upcoming charity event will include a home run derby, postgame festivities and interactive family activities. Via the MayeDay Family Foundation social media, two tickets to the Oct. 18 game against the New York Jets in addition to two signed Maye jerseys and two sidelines passes are among the items that will be up for the silent auction.

Gates open at 5 p.m. EST on Sunday at Polar Park on May 31. There will be a home run derby at 6 p.m., the softball game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and fireworks will follow postgame.

In addition to prioritizing charity work, Maye is about to enter his third year in the NFL and is coming off being named team captain and earned the 67th Bert Bell Award. It’s clear as his career continues with the Patriots, he will serve as a pillar to the community for the Boston area.

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