Terry Bradshaw Misidentified Drake Maye on Broadcast
FOX analysts faced viewer criticism after repeatedly calling the Patriots quarterback by the wrong name.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Football
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Should longtime sports commentators retire when they begin making recurring errors on live broadcasts?
Terry Bradshaw and Curt Menefee referred to New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye as Derek Maye during a halftime broadcast. The error occurred during a Week 3 game between the Patriots and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Why it matters
The repeated misidentification has sparked significant viewer criticism on social media, leading to calls for changes at the FOX anchor desk.
Terry Bradshaw, who won 4 Super Bowls during his 14-season career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is currently 76 years old. He has publicly stated a target retirement age of 80.
The players
Terry Bradshaw
He is a former professional quarterback who won four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers and currently serves as an NFL analyst for FOX Sports.
Drake Maye
He is a professional quarterback currently playing for the New England Patriots in the NFL.
Curt Menefee
He is a veteran sports broadcaster who serves as a host on the FOX NFL Sunday pregame and halftime shows.
FOX Sports
This is a major American television sports division that broadcasts various NFL games throughout the season.
The details
Broadcasters on the FOX NFL team repeatedly used the incorrect name for Drake Maye during the halftime segment. Fans subsequently turned to the social media platform X to voice their frustration regarding the broadcast performance.
Timeline
In 2024, Bradshaw misidentified both Zach Charbonnet and Drake Maye.
During 2025, Bradshaw confirmed he had two years remaining on his contract.
On February 2, 2026, Drake Maye noted his respect for Terry Bradshaw.
In September 2026, the broadcast team referred to Drake Maye as Derek Maye.
Season Trajectory
This recurring pattern of on-air identification errors reflects a broader trend of criticism regarding the veteran broadcast team's performance. The mounting dissatisfaction could influence how FOX evaluates its long-term anchor desk stability.
The persistent naming errors on national broadcasts can impact how viewers engage with team rosters during halftime analysis. It may lead to increased scrutiny of future broadcast segments involving the Patriots quarterback.
The takeaway
Maintaining broadcast accuracy remains a critical expectation for high-profile network sports coverage. Viewers continue to prioritize consistent professional standards from the analysts they watch every week.
Further reading
For more news on current NFL broadcast coverage, visit our Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by EssentiallySports.
Live Poll
Should longtime sports commentators retire when they begin making recurring errors on live broadcasts?
