Jan. 23, 2026, 5:03 a.m. MT
Sunday’s AFC Championship showdown between the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots will decide who represents the conference in this season’s Super Bowl.
There’s a lot on the line for both teams, but the game will have even more meaning to a pair of players.
Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss, 27, and Broncos pass rusher Jonah Elliss, 22, are brothers.
“We’re excited,” Christian said earlier this week. “It’s a huge blessing for our family. You know, one of us is going to the Super Bowl one way or the other. So we’re very excited. For me, it’s a little bit of smack talking, a little bit of — we have something between him and I — we’ll have a little side bet, and the loser will be reminded forever.”
Christian went on to note that he’s never played with or against Jonah, and he’s excited to swap jerseys after the game. They have 12 total siblings, including four who have played in the NFL. Their father, Luther Elliss, was a defensive lineman for the Broncos at the end of his career. He later returned to the club as a chaplain in 2015, and Denver went on to win the Super Bowl that season.
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Sunday will be a big day for the Elliss family, with eternal bragging rights on the line.
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