The New England Patriots’ 10-7 win over the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game served up one of the most emotionally charged moments of the 2025 NFL season.
Right after the final whistle, Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss hunted down his brother, Broncos linebacker Jonah, to comfort him on the field. That brotherly love just cut right through the usual cold edge of pro football.
The image of Christian wrapping Jonah up in a hug really nailed the bittersweet reality of family members facing off at the highest level.
Christian made a huge impact in New England’s win, forcing a fumble that set up the Patriots’ only touchdown.
Jonah, on the flip side, missed a tackle on Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye during a crucial third-down late in the fourth quarter—pretty much the play that sealed Denver’s fate.
The contrast between Christian’s triumph and Jonah’s heartbreak made their postgame embrace hit even harder.
The brothers come from a football family that’s basically legendary. Their dad, Luther, played 10 seasons in the NFL, and two other brothers are currently grinding it out in the league.
AFC Championship Clash: Christian Consoles Brother Jonah
The Patriots’ 10-7 victory over the Broncos at Mile High gave fans one of the most touching playoff moments in recent memory. Christian, after the final whistle, found his younger brother Jonah for a long, emotional embrace.
The linebacker siblings, playing against each other for the first time, experienced totally different emotions as New England clinched a Super Bowl spot.
The Emotional Postgame Moment on the Field
Christian didn’t run to his teammates to celebrate. Nope—he went straight to Jonah and hugged him in front of the cameras, the crowd, and everyone watching at home.
The Patriots linebacker knew exactly what his younger brother was feeling after such a crushing loss. While Christian had just helped send his team to the Super Bowl, Jonah’s season ended in heartbreak.
The moment hit fans and players alike. It was beautiful and, honestly, a little gut-wrenching, showing how family can matter more than the scoreboard.
Game-Changing Plays: Forced Fumble and Missed Tackle
Christian forced a fumble from Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham early in the game. That turnover set up New England’s only touchdown—absolutely massive in a 10-7 slugfest.
Jonah had his own big moment, but not the good kind. Drake Maye scrambled for a critical 3rd & 6 conversion late, and Jonah just couldn’t make the play.
That one play basically ended Denver’s shot at a comeback. The contrast between the brothers’ impact told the story—Christian’s heroics just outweighed Jonah’s missed chance.
Super Bowl Implications and Family Reactions
The Patriots now head to face the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX. Christian finished his regular season with 94 tackles, three pass deflections, and one forced fumble under rookie head coach Mike Vrabel.
The family had split loyalties during the AFC title game. Now, with Denver out, the whole family’s rooting for Christian’s Super Bowl run.
The brothers’ football roots run deep. Their dad, Luther, spent a decade in the NFL, mostly with the Detroit Lions. Two other brothers, Kaden and Noah, are also playing in the league right now.
Sportsmanship and Brotherhood Amid High Stakes
That postgame embrace between Christian and Jonah? It was special—one of those moments that goes way beyond the game.
Christian’s first move was to comfort Jonah, not to celebrate. Says a lot about the guy, doesn’t it?
It’s a reminder for young athletes: you can compete fiercely and still show heart when it’s over. Football’s tough, but family is tougher.
The Elliss Football Legacy
The family stands out as one of the NFL’s true multi-generational dynasties, with four brothers playing in the league and a dad who was a Pro Bowler for a decade.
The Brothers in the NFL
Christian Elliss and Jonah are just two of four brothers currently in the NFL. Christian, now a Patriots linebacker, went undrafted in 2021 after playing for the Idaho Vandals. He bounced around—released six times in five years—before finally breaking through with New England and Mike Vrabel in 2025.
Jonah lines up as an outside linebacker for the Broncos. Kaden and Noah, the other two brothers, round out the NFL quartet. Kaden’s made his mark as a linebacker, and Noah’s still carving out his own path.
There are 12 siblings in the family, but these four brothers have really carried on their dad’s football legacy.
Luther and the Family’s Football Roots
Luther Elliss, the family’s patriarch, played 10 years in the NFL as a Pro Bowl defensive lineman—mostly with the Detroit Lions. He built a reputation as a dominant force up front and set the tone for his sons’ football dreams.
Luther’s experience and coaching shaped all four of his NFL sons. He passed down the grit, the know-how, and the drive to stick it out through the rough patches. The entire family’s football roots go deep—Luther made sure of it, and his sons are living proof.
Family Dynamics During Rivalry Games
Rebecca, mom to the brothers, found herself in a real emotional tangle during the AFC Championship Game. Christian was all fired up to play against Jonah, but Rebecca? She looked a bit torn, and honestly, who could blame her.
The family had to pick sides for the Patriots-Broncos matchup. Still, when Denver got knocked out, they all rallied behind Christian for Super Bowl LX.
The brothers probably squared off on special teams, which definitely cranked up the family drama. Christian put up 94 tackles, three pass deflections, and forced a fumble in the regular season—pretty impressive, right?
Both brothers played big roles in their teams’ playoff runs. Through it all, the family’s support never wavered, even with all that competition simmering underneath.
