Waltham resident scores big in Drake Maye pizza promo

A former Hawk’s love for pizza turned into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet star quarterback Drake Maye.

Luke France of Waltham was named the grand prize winner of Papa Gino’s “Share a Slice with Drake Maye Sweepstakes.” He was selected among thousands of entries across Papa Gino’s social media channels and won the opportunity to meet the Pats quarterback.

In the online sweepstakes, the New England-based pizzeria asked, “What would you tell the Patriots star over a slice of pizza?”

France had the winning answer, writing, “I would thank Drake Maye for changing my life and then make sure he doesn’t eat too much because I don’t want him to get a belly ache but I would also let him eat as much as he wants because he deserves it.”

The tongue-in-cheek reply won him the opportunity to be in a commercial with Maye, and the two had some Papa Gino’s pizza together last week.

Born and raised in Waltham, France describes himself as a lifelong fan of the New England Patriots. He played football at Waltham High School, where he was a lineman for the Hawks, and he served as an assistant coach for the team after graduation. In college he played tight end on the Salve Regina University football team in Newport, RI.

He was shocked to learn that he had been selected as the sweepstakes winner.  “I couldn’t believe it. My family was very happy for me because they know I’m a big Patriots fan,” he said.

France was invited to attend filming of a new Papa Gino’s commercial featuring Maye, and had a chance to meet and talk to the NFL star before the shoot last week.

“He was a very nice guy. I asked him a couple of questions and he answered everything honestly, not like media answers. I felt like I was talking to one of my friends by the end of it,” France said.

Also a long-time Papa Gino’s fan, France recalls going for a skate at the Waltham rink on Friday nights and hitting the restaurant on Lexington Street after the game with his middle school friends. “We’d order party platter after party platter, each of my friends taking turns buying. Those are some of the best memories, all my friends at Papa Gino’s.”

The commercial is the first in a series of ads being filmed for a new Papa Gino’s marketing blitz called “Dough Delivery with Drake Maye,” and France makes a special guest appearance. Fans can expect to see it this summer when the campaign rolls out across New England a spokesman said.