Bill Belichick’s Surprising Move: Why UNC Can’t Celebrate Drake Maye’s Stellar Game

Drake Maye, the former quarterback for North Carolina, had an impressive showing in his latest NFL game. He led the New England Patriots to a surprising 23-20 victory over the favored Buffalo Bills, completing 22 of 30 passes for 273 yards and earning a passer rating of 101.1. Despite this standout performance, you wouldn’t know it from the silence on the Tar Heels’ social media.

There seems to be a directive from UNC head coach Bill Belichick against promoting any Patriots-related content on the team’s channels. Belichick, who enjoyed a 24-season tenure with the Patriots, winning six Super Bowls, is now caught in a complicated situation following his firing after a dismal season.

Sources close to the UNC football program suggest this social media silence is intentional. Ross Martin from 247Sports brought this to light when he noted the lack of posts supporting Maye’s exciting win. Instead, the UNC football account has shared highlights from former players like Javontae Williams, who now plays for the Dallas Cowboys.

Mack Brown, the previous head coach of the Tar Heels, despite being let go, took the time to congratulate Maye publicly. He shared his thoughts on social media, expressing joy over Maye’s success and recalling his time at UNC.

This situation raises questions about loyalty and support within athletic programs. The animosity between Belichick and the Patriots adds another layer to the story. Since parting ways with the team, Belichick’s relationship with owner Robert Kraft has been tense. After their split in January 2024, there have been public back-and-forth exchanges, further fueling speculation about their complicated history.

Now, even as hope for reconciliation lingers—just recently, Kraft hinted he might support erecting a statue of Belichick alongside Tom Brady—it seems Belichick is not ready to bury the hatchet. He continues to restrict Patriots personnel from evaluating talent in North Carolina.

Social media reactions to this situation illustrate the fans’ mixed feelings. Many followers express their disappointment over UNC’s silence while others rally behind Maye, celebrating his talent and future potential.

In a nutshell, the late acknowledgment of Maye’s achievement on social media was better than nothing, but many fans view it as a step too little, too late. As the season unfolds, it will be interesting to see how Maye continues to perform and how UNC chooses to navigate this delicate relationship with its former star.

This situation highlights the importance of support in sports, not just from coaches but also from institutions. When stars shine bright, they deserve recognition, especially from those who shared in their journey.



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