An NFL Family like none other

The NFL is filled with siblings ... and sibling rivalries. The Kelce brothers are a prominent duo, as are the Manning boys, and then there's the Watt family trio. Literally hundreds of sibling pairs have played in the National Football, which might seem surprising consider the elite status that requires, but is also understandable considering that same factor. However, a family that sends four young men to the pros is something special, and the Elliss family, whose sons Jonah (Broncos) and Christian (Patriots) face off in the AFC championship game between Denver and New England this weekend, is an incredible and heartwarming story like none you've heard before. 

On Sunday, the Elliss crew will count names and invade Denver, with Broncos outside linebacker Jonah and Patriots ILB Christian facing off in the AFC Championship Game. The two, both biological, are close as any within the group of 12 kids. Christian told New England reporters this week that he and Jonah have a “side bet” on the outcome Sunday, and Luther’s excited to watch his boys “bump heads” on special teams.

A former team chaplain for the Broncos during their 2015 Super Bowl season, Luther’s life has always been deeply rooted in faith. He figured he and Rebecca would have a large family; four to six kids, maybe. They never looked to adopt. But Rebecca called Luther one day after a workout class, talking about a baby a friend had told her about that was in transitional care in Utah.Not a week later, they brought home Isaiah Elliss.

“It just kinda spiraled pretty quickly,” Rebecca said.

Along the way, the Ellisses became one of the most prominent football families in the modern world. Jonah, Christian and Kaden are biological children and have grown into standout NFL linebackers, as is Elijah Elliss, a current Utah linebacker. Noah Elliss was adopted.

A family that sends four of its children to the professional sports level is truly an incredible story. But the Elliss family narrative is so much more than that, a story of a couple who chose unconditional love above all else.