Overview of DONKEY: Drake Maye Gets Donkey Of The Day For Historically Bad Postseason
This episode/segment (Donkey of the Day) from The Breakfast Club-style show — presented by The Black Effect Podcast Network and iHeartPodcasts — singles out New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye for criticism after a poor playoff run and a rough Super Bowl performance. Host Charlamagne delivers a blunt takedown, cites postseason statistics, calls out media narratives that oversold Maye, and urges honest coverage. The episode also includes caller reactions about the Super Bowl halftime show and features multiple sponsor reads.
Key points and main takeaways
- Charlamagne names Drake Maye "Donkey of the Day" for what he calls a historically bad postseason and Super Bowl showing.
- The host argues Patriots defense, not Maye, carried the team through the playoffs.
- Media and fans allegedly overhyped Maye during the regular season; Charlamagne urges reporters not to whitewash his playoff struggles.
- Callers shift the conversation briefly to reactions to the Super Bowl halftime performance (language, vibe, and representation).
Stats and evidence cited (as presented in the segment)
- Maye reportedly finished one vote short of the NFL MVP award during the regular season.
- Regular-season metrics referenced (paraphrased from the segment): high completion percentage and strong yardage/TD totals — contrasted with playoff decline.
- Postseason performance numbers the host cites:
- 21 sacks taken in the postseason — noted as an NFL-era single-postseason record.
- Six sacks and three turnovers in the Super Bowl game alone.
- In the first three playoff games combined: 4 TDs, 2 INTs, and 15 sacks.
- Postseason completion rate: ~58.3% (vs ~72% in regular season).
- Postseason totals given: 6 passing TDs, 4 interceptions; 7 fumbles with 4 lost.
- Postseason yards per game: ~207 (down from ~258.5 in regular season).
- Celebrity fan note: Aubrey “Drake” Graham reportedly bet $1 million on the Patriots to win the Super Bowl (mentioned tongue-in-cheek as related to name similarity).
Notable quotes / host lines
- “Drake Maye had a season where he fell one vote short of winning the NFL MVP award… and then he got in the playoffs and laid an egg.”
- “The New England Patriots defense carried them to the Super Bowl.”
- “Drake Maye sucked in the playoffs. He sucked in the Super Bowl.”
- “Don’t whitewash it. Don’t sugarcoat it.”
Topics discussed
- Drake Maye’s playoff and Super Bowl performance and whether media coverage was warranted.
- Comparison of regular-season success versus postseason failure.
- Media narratives and hypocrisy in sports reporting.
- Brief listener-driven discussion on the Super Bowl halftime show (language barrier, representation, and celebrity cameos).
- Sponsors and promo reads punctuate the segment.
Host perspective and tone
- Highly opinionated and blunt; Charlamagne is dismissive and celebratory of the Patriots’ loss.
- Calls for accountability and frank sports journalism rather than hype-driven narratives.
- Uses humor, regional banter (New York reaction), and rhetorical provocation to make the point.
Recommendations / action items (implied)
- Sports media should present an honest assessment of Drake Maye’s postseason performance rather than protect or overpraise him based on regular-season play.
- Fans and pundits should consider a quarterback’s playoff performance and situational pressures when evaluating “elite” status.
- Listeners interested in further discussion were invited to call the show’s phone lines to share reactions.
Context & production notes
- The segment is embedded in a longer show with multiple sponsor spots (Nissan, Shopify, Blue Square Alliance Against Hate, State Farm, Michael the Bull Lamisoff, APU, Big O Tires, Ram, CVS).
- After the Donkey segment, hosts open phone lines to discuss Super Bowl reactions, demonstrating the show’s mix of sports critique and cultural commentary.
If you want a one-line summary: Charlamagne names Drake Maye “Donkey of the Day,” arguing his postseason was historically poor, media overhyped him, and the Patriots’ defense — not Maye — was the real engine behind their Super Bowl run.