Before buzzing off his hair Tuesday morning, Drake Maye used artificial intelligence to help imagine what he'd look like.
According to his wife, Ann Michael, the image it generated was pretty close to reality for the New England Patriots quarterback.
Maye's new look was to help raise over $4.1 million for charity in the "Saving by Shaving" event hosted annually by Granite Telecommunications in Quincy, Mass. Ann Michael had the honors of shaving the first few locks of her husband's head.
"I actually cut my grandma's hair one time and it looked so horrible," said Ann Michael.
"It was during COVID and she really needed a haircut so I gave her one. It looked so bad, so, we'll see how this goes."
Despite being together since middle school, Ann Michael had never seen her husband's hair that short before. Her shock was for a good cause, though.
"Being able to shine a light in the community – a community that loves our football team and has given us so much support – that's what it's all about," said Maye.
"It's bigger than football and I am just glad I can be a part of it and spread awareness about such a great event."
For the last 13 years, Granite Telecommunications has hosted the event to raise money for pediatric hospital research and treatments.
Headed into this year, the company's tradition has seen more than 12,000 participants shave their heads or donate hair to raise more than $58.5 million for Boston's leading medical institutions.
Maye got his trim alongside Patriots three-time Super Bowl Champion Joe Andruzzi, Quincy mayor Thomas Koch, Boston Children's Hospital president & CEO Kevin Churchwell, WEEI's Greg Hill, and Granite CEO Bob Hale.
"It's incredible," said Hale of having Maye uplift his cause.
"It's an added layer of intense energy. The whole country follows both of them, and the energy and the positive energy they shine on us just makes it even more exciting."
The mission of Saving by Shaving aligns well with the Mayes' latest philanthropic endeavor.
The couple launched the MayeDay Family Foundation on Friday, aiming to provide children and families enduring hardship at local hospitals with assistance and support.
Maye said the choice to focus their charity on children was inspired by his favorite experiences giving back in the community.
"Dealing with children is one of the best things," said Maye.
"They're often times the biggest fans of us players and I think it's just such a cool experience to be able to shine a positive light and be there for them to help in any way we can."
As much as spending times with kids puts a family on their faces, Maye says it helps even more.
With this being their second year in New England, the Mayes' philanthropy has made them feel welcome in the region.
"One of our favorite parts is getting more plugged into the community," said Ann Michael.
"There's so many great people and things here. Being from North Carolina, it's so different here for us, so where we wanted to start was by getting into the community and the great organizations here."
A Celebrity Softball Classic on May 31st at Polar Park in Worcester will serve as the MayeDay Foundation's inaugural fundraising event.
The game will feature several of the quarterback's Patriots teammates and will include a home run derby, fireworks, and other interactive family activities.
Events and initiatives like this will set the tone for all Maye hopes to accomplish off the field.
"We're excited," Maye said of launching his own nonprofit.
"It's in the early stages so we're excited to see what it can become. For us to be able to give back to this area and back home just means so much to us. I'm looking forward to doing it together – that's the best part. This is our new home so we're just looking forward to doing whatever we can."
To buy tickets to the Celebrity Softball Classic or learn more about the MayeDay Family Foundation visit MayeDay.org.
