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The atmosphere at Gillette Stadium was reaching fever pitch ahead of the Patriots vs. Bills showdown, but just minutes before kickoff, all eyes suddenly turned to Drake Maye. On the young quarterback’s left wrist was a white Wish band, bearing a simple handwritten message heavy with meaning: “Towards Washington.” No fireworks, no highlight — just a message enough to bring the stadium to a hush. According to internal Patriots sources, that Wish band was Drake Maye’s way of expressing deep sympathy and solidarity with the people of Washington state — where a severe flooding disaster is forcing tens of thousands to evacuate. In a moment when the NFL’s full attention was on Gillette, Maye used that very stage to turn the league’s heart toward a place that needs compassion more than ever. Entire towns are underwater as widespread, historic flooding grips Washington, caused by days of heavy rain that have pushed rivers to levels never seen before. pic.twitter.com/7EwRcyotCe — AccuWeather (@accuweather) December 12, 2025 Images of Maye warming up with the words “Towards Washington” quickly went viral on social media. Within minutes, the Patriots Nation community and even neutral fans were sharing it en masse, calling it “a small act with meaning bigger than any touchdown.” In a league often defined by wins and losses, that moment reminded everyone that football is sometimes just a bridge to something greater. When asked about the meaning of the wristband, Drake Maye paused for a few seconds before answering: “Before every game, I usually remind myself about strategy,” he said. “But today, I wanted to carry a different reminder. There are people losing their homes, losing their peace overnight. If me stepping onto the field with this message can make someone remember them, pray for them, then I think I need to do it.” The entire press room fell silent. Before the ball was kicked off amid roaring cheers, Drake Maye had already “scored points” in a way no stat sheet can measure. No matter the outcome of Patriots vs. Bills, that moment transcended the boundaries of one game. For Patriots Nation, Maye isn’t just the quarterback of the present — he is becoming the face representing the heart and responsibility of the NFL, in moments when the world needs kindness more than victory.