Por Renan Filho · 2026-10-07**Lead**
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye stirred controversy this week after publicly stating he is "a little bit skeptical" that the United States actually landed on the Moon in 1969. The comments, made during a casual appearance on a sports podcast, quickly went viral, drawing a pointed and educational response from NASA, which reaffirmed the overwhelming evidence behind the Apollo 11 mission and subsequent lunar landings.
**Contexto**
Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, made the remarks while discussing conspiracies and things he questions. When asked about the Moon landing, the young signal-caller hesitated before admitting his doubts. "I'm a little bit skeptical, to be honest," Maye said. "I just have questions. I don't know. It's one of those things that makes you go hmm." The clip spread rapidly across social media platforms, with fans, historians, and even fellow athletes weighing in on the quarterback's comments.
NASA, which rarely engages directly with Moon landing denialism, issued a statement through its public affairs office. The agency did not single out Maye by name but addressed the broader skepticism. "The evidence that humans walked on the Moon is overwhelming and irrefutable," the statement read. "Thousands of independent researchers, international partners, and even competing nations have verified the data, the lunar samples, and the telemetry from the Apollo missions. We encourage everyone, especially public figures with large platforms, to engage with the facts and the incredible scientific achievements of the Apollo program."
The Apollo 11 mission, which saw Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first humans to set foot on another celestial body on July 20, 1969, remains one of the most documented events in human history. Over the course of six successful landing missions between 1969 and 1972, twelve American astronauts walked on the lunar surface, returning with more than 800 pounds of Moon rock that has been studied by scientists worldwide. The missions were tracked by ground stations on multiple continents, and retroreflectors placed on the lunar surface continue to be used by astronomers today to measure the distance between Earth and the Moon with laser precision.
**Analise**
Maye's comments, while seemingly offhand, highlight a persistent cultural phenomenon: the endurance of Moon landing conspiracy theories despite a mountain of evidence. Polls have consistently shown that a small but vocal minority of Americans express doubt about the landings, often influenced by a distrust of government institutions or a misunderstanding of the technical challenges involved. When a high-profile athlete like Maye voices such skepticism, it amplifies the narrative and gives it a veneer of mainstream credibility, which is why NASA's response was both swift and necessary.
The agency's decision to respond publicly, rather than ignore the remarks, reflects a broader strategy of proactive science communication. In an era of misinformation, NASA has increasingly engaged directly with the public to counter false claims, using social media, educational outreach, and even partnerships with celebrities and athletes to promote scientific literacy. The response also serves as a reminder that the Apollo program was not just an American triumph but a milestone for all humanity, one that continues to inspire current and future space exploration efforts, including the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon later this decade.
For Maye, the controversy is unlikely to have any lasting impact on his football career, but it has placed him in an unexpected spotlight. The Patriots organization has not issued an official comment, and Maye has not yet responded to NASA's statement. However, the episode underscores the responsibility that comes with a public platform, particularly for young athletes who are increasingly asked to weigh in on topics far beyond their professional domain. Whether Maye will revisit his skepticism in light of NASA's detailed rebuttal remains to be seen, but the conversation has already served as a teachable moment for millions.
**Fontes**
NASA Public Affairs Office statement; Apollo 11 mission archives and lunar sample data; public statements from Drake Maye via podcast appearance; historical records from the Apollo program (1969-1972).