Patriots Rookie Atonio Mafi: 'Surreal' Journey in Tom Brady's Footsteps?

From his childhood team to a dream come true, the New England Patriots have been part of Atonio Mafi's identity for a very long time.

When the New England Patriots selected Atonio Mafi in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, it was a dream come true for the now-former UCLA Bruins offensive lineman.

Despite growing up on the other side of the country, Mafi, 23, grew up as a huge New England fan. That's because his hometown of San Mateo, California also happens to be the hometown of legendary Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Mafi even attended Brady's alma mater of Junipero Serra High School, and the future Hall of Famer's impact was unavoidable.

“Obviously, the biggest thing was seeing a kid from San Mateo, where I’m from, winning that much,” Mafi said, per Boston.com. “It was great to see the Patriots win so much and win so many Super Bowls, but the biggest thing for us was seeing a kid from California doing this year after year, and even into his old age. That was the coolest thing.” 

USA Today Sports

Brady had already won his first of six Super Bowls with the Patriots before Mafi was even two years old, so naturally, the lineman had some catching up to do throughout his childhood.

“By the time I was old enough to understand football and sit there and watch an entire game and understand what was going on, that was peak TB12,” Mafi said.

As Brady's time in New England wound down, Mafi was still early in his UCLA career and transitioning from defense to offense. A few years later, the Patriots hosted Mafi for a pre-draft visit, where he met the other pillar of the team's dynastic run in coach Bill Belichick.

“I couldn’t even remember what he was saying that first time," Mafi said of Belichick. "I was just really shell shocked. That’s what it was like.”

That meeting went well enough for the Patriots to draft Mafi, and although he's only started four of the team's 15 games, he has made a noticeable impact on his teammates. Fellow first-year lineman Sidy Sow said he "loves Mafi to death," while veteran center David Andrews praised him alongside the other rookies up front.

Belichick Reacts to Kraft's Silence On Patriots' Future

Although Mafi's journey is far from over, the fact that he's come so far already is not lost on him.

“Definitely surreal, definitely grateful for it every day,” Mafi said. “There’s so much history here, and I understand my role right now as a rookie. Just trying to do right by those who came before and show every day that I deserve to be here.”

---