UNC Football: Sam Howell and Drake Maye share special moment

When North Carolina Tar Heels Football redshirt freshman Drake Maye scored his first career rushing touchdown yesterday, someone special was there to greet him.

Drake Maye scored his first career rushing touchdown yesterday in a game that needed every point the Tar Heels could score. With 11:56 left in the third quarter, he extended the UNC lead to 34-21 on a 12 yard run. Maye had a day filled with highlights but this moment was even more special because he shared it with a friend.

Most Tar Heel fans noticed the presence of former Tar Heel QB1 Sam Howell outside the end zone and on the sideline. Let’s talk about this moment so well captured and shared by our contributor Isaac Shade on Twitter….

For a few seconds, it made our anxiety of an up and down game disappear. There they were, our previous QB1 and our new QB1. The cameras captured what we all hope, want and believe about the Carolina family. Not only was former Tar Heel and current Washington Commanders quarterback Howell at the game, but he was engaged. He was there for the moment when his good friend scored his first collegiate rushing touchdown. Howell told the ESPNU broadcast:

"“Drake’s doing a hell of a job, one of my best friends,”-Sam Howell"

Maye was equally honored to have his good friend and mentor there as shared by Taylor Vippolis.

Josh Graham shared this moment after the game.

This is the Carolina Family. This is culture. This is leadership. This is mentorship. Howell and Maye created a bond, friendship and mentorship last season. Under the ultimate leadership of Head Coach Mack Brown, QB2 is now QB1. The torch is passed. The bond is strong.

Howell is now doing for the Washington Commanders what we all saw him do last season for the Tar Heels.

Thanks to Howell’s leadership Maye is now doing the same for UNC Football.

It is important to recognize the UNC Football culture. Great culture is built on leaders that pass on their wisdom. For three years we witnessed Howell carry his team. Through two games this season we are seeing how impactful that friendship and teaching is.

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