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“Give it to the rookie” — Drake Maye turns down the game MVP, an emotional moment that brought the entire NFL to a standstill

Foxborough – That playoff night should have belonged entirely to Drake Maye. He threw for 334 yards, controlled the game, and led the New England Patriots to their first playoff win in four years. As the crowd and the locker room began chanting “MVP,” everything seemed settled. But Maye turned that moment into something far greater than an individual award.

When the trophy was brought out, Maye shook his head and pointed toward the defense. “Give it to him,” he said. “That rookie saved us.” The room fell silent for a few seconds before emotion poured out. This wasn’t performative humility. It was an acknowledgment that the victory had been built on quiet, decisive defensive plays.

Drake Maye found a way to help Patriots beat Chargers

“That rookie” was Craig Woodson — a fourth-round safety drafted in 2025 — who had just delivered a playoff debut far beyond expectations. Woodson played nearly the entire game with roughly 60 snaps, recorded 11 tackles (leading the team), and added one tackle for loss on a key edge blitz. He played a major role in helping the Patriots shut down Justin Herbert, holding the Chargers to 159 passing yards and 207 total yards of offense.

Có thể là hình ảnh về bóng đá và văn bản cho biết 'อา A PREM1ERE -2025- PATRIOTS 31'

Woodson’s performance wasn’t flashy, but it was nearly flawless. He made clean tackles against both the run and the pass, consistently kept plays in front of him, and allowed no explosive plays in his area. Physical, disciplined, and in sync with the secondary, he also provided strong support for Christian Gonzalez before Gonzalez exited with an injury. Multiple outlets labeled him an “unsung hero” and “nearly flawless in the secondary.”

As the award was handed over, tears were shed. Brotherhood. Recognition. “This is the Patriots. This is how we win,” Maye added. In a league that often celebrates stars, that moment reminded the NFL of its greatest value — team success. Craig Woodson didn’t just post a career-high in tackles; he announced himself as a true rookie defensive star, helped propel the Patriots into the Divisional Round, and created a moment fans will never forget.

Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes' glitzy steakhouse rocked by lawsuit claiming partners siphoned millions and 'extorted' lawyer as he battled blood cancer
Kansas City, Missouri – January 2026 Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes’ trendy Kansas City steakhouse, 1587 Prime, has found itself at the center of a controversy after a lawsuit alleged that its business partners, Tosh Berman and Michael Tanha, siphoned millions of dollars from the company and “extorted” their legal counsel during a critical time when the attorney was fighting blood cancer. The lawsuit, filed by Matthew Syken, the former general counsel of the restaurant’s parent company Noble 33, claims that Berman and Tanha engaged in fraudulent activity while Syken was on medical leave for cancer treatment. According to Syken, the two allegedly misappropriated funds from a deal with a gift card company, inKind, which had paid Noble 33 millions in advance for store credits redeemable at their chain of restaurants. Syken claims that after he uncovered the financial irregularities and confronted Berman and Tanha, they retaliated by withholding his pay, firing him, and canceling his medical insurance during his recovery. He further accuses them of threatening his legal career in an attempt to silence him, adding to the emotional and financial strain he was already facing. “I had no choice but to speak up. I’ve been through enough, and I thought it was my responsibility to make sure Noble 33 was operating fairly. To be fired in such a cruel manner, especially while fighting cancer, is something I’ll never forget. The truth needs to come out,” Syken stated. Kelce and Mahomes, both of whom have had stakes in 1587 Prime, have not been named as defendants in the lawsuit, and sources close to the two superstars say they were unaware of the alleged misconduct. Despite the controversy, Kelce and Mahomes have continued to promote the restaurant as a high-end destination for fans and celebrities alike. The lawsuit, which has gained significant media attention, claims that Berman and Tanha used the inKind gift card deal to generate upfront cash that was allegedly funneled into their private accounts, while Syken’s attempts to uncover the scheme were met with hostility. Berman and Tanha have denied all wrongdoing, accusing Syken of embezzling funds himself, but the lawsuit continues to unfold as the legal battle intensifies. With a history of Super Bowl victories and major endorsements, both Kelce and Mahomes now find themselves linked to a serious legal battle that threatens the future of their restaurant venture. As the case progresses, many are wondering whether 1587 Prime can withstand the controversy and whether the public image of the two stars will be affected by the ongoing legal issues.