Patriots Coach and Quarterback Champion Female Reporters in Press Conferences
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has carried forward a thoughtful tradition from his time with the Tennessee Titans. During his tenure with the Titans from 2018 to 2023, Vrabel consistently allowed reporter Teresa Walker to ask the first question at press conferences.
He reportedly continues this practice in New England with Karen Guregian, a columnist for MassLive Sports. Following his coach's lead, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye recently demonstrated the same considerate gesture.
A Class Act Tradition Passed Down
MLFootball recently shared footage showing Maye letting a female reporter ask the opening question at his press conference. The organization captioned their X post, calling it a class act.
They highlighted how Maye has adopted the tradition from Coach Vrabel, who has been doing this for many years to support women in sports. In October 2025, MLFootball posted a video collage of Vrabel's press conferences with the Titans.
That post emphasized Vrabel's consistent practice of letting Teresa Walker ask first because he understands the challenges women face in sports journalism.
Mixed Reactions from Cybercitizens
Online reactions to these gestures have been varied and sometimes sharply divided. Some users questioned whether this represents true equality or even suggested it might be discriminatory.
One particularly negative comment stated that females should be in the kitchen, reflecting outdated attitudes. However, many others praised the actions as supportive and necessary.
Supporters called Vrabel and Maye decent human beings who set positive examples. They noted how such simple acts of consideration can make a significant difference in promoting gender inclusion in sports media.
Praise for Leadership and Sportsmanship
Responses to Drake Maye's gesture have been overwhelmingly positive among fans. One user proudly declared, That's my quarterback, while others expressed admiration for both Maye and Vrabel.
Comments described Maye as a leader and gentleman, with some noting they had never seen anything like this before in their lifetime. The quarterback's actions have made it difficult for even neutral observers not to root for him, according to several reactions.
This tradition, while simple in execution, represents a meaningful step toward acknowledging and addressing the barriers women still face in sports journalism. Both Vrabel and Maye demonstrate that small, consistent actions can contribute to larger cultural shifts within professional sports environments.
