IN PHOTOS: Tom Brady sends love as niece Maya gears up for UCLA graduation

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) softball player Maya Brady has one proud uncle in seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady. He reacted with four heart emojis in the comments section of her graduation photos.

Excellence in sports runs in Maya’s blood. Aside from completing her sociology major, she is also the 2023 Pac-12 Player of the Year. She was also one of three finalists for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.

Tom Brady commented on her niece's graduation post. (Image credit: Instagram.com/mayabrady_)

Maya Brady graduates from UCLA. (Image credit: Instagram.com/mayabrady_)

Maya Brady graduates from UCLA. (Image credit: Instagram.com/mayabrady_)

Maya Brady graduates from UCLA. (Image credit: Instagram.com/mayabrady_)

Maya Brady and the Bruins compete in the NCAA Division 1 Softball Championship, which also serves as the Women’s College World Series. Unfortunately, the team started off on the wrong foot this season after losing to the Antelopes. As a result, they will face the Flames in the elimination bracket.

Despite the setback, Maya has much to celebrate this season. She improved her batting average from .339 to .450 and became a First Team All-Pac-12 honoree. The pride of Thousand Oaks, California also had 11 straight base hits from February 10 to 12, breaking the university’s 24-year-old record.

The daughter of Maureen Brady and Brian Timmons also won the 2023 Pac-12 batting title with a .456 hitting average. She became the 13th UCLA player to win the award.

She also had ten bases in a game against the University of San Diego Toreros, tied for third-most in Bruins history. Maya Brady graduated with UCLA’s third-best all-time slugging percentage (.739) and became the seventh Bruin to have five games with multiple home runs.

Maya also had the opportunity to represent the United States in last year’s Japan All-Star Series. Needless to say, the achievement made Uncle Tom Brady proud.

Maya’s mother, former Fresno State All-American pitcher Maureen Brady, is Tom’s older sister. The three-time NFL Most Valuable Player’s other sister, Julie Brady, is married to former Major League Baseball first/third baseman Kevin Youkilis.

Tom Brady is a proud uncle

Brady celebrated his niece’s achievements and lauded UCLA’s dominating season.

He also found time to attend one of Maya’s games and took a photo with her. It motivated Maya and the Bruins to defeat the Arizona State Sun Devils 7-3.

Brady retired one last time after the 2022 season. He ended his 23-season career with the most career wins, completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns by a quarterback. He also had an NFL record of 490 completions in his final season.

Aside from Tom Brady, Maya also lists Amanda Lorenz and Serena Williams as her favorite athletes. She particularly liked Williams because of her fierce attitude and insatiable drive to win.