USA Today Sports

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.” 

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.

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.”

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Watch: Chris Kreider's natural third-period hat trick shatters Hurricanes' comeback hopes
Dodgers starter undergoes season-ending UCL surgery
Knicks star ruled out for potential closeout game
Veteran NFL safety will either play for this team or retire in 2024
Former Red Wings head coach linked to open NHL job
How Patriots' Drake Maye has already impressed Jacoby Brissett
LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry among Forbes' highest-paid athletes for 2024
Steve Cohen addresses if Mets could again be trade-deadline sellers
Tiger Woods ruins strong first round with sloppy finish at PGA Championship
Xander Schauffele makes history in first round of PGA Championship
NFL responds to speculation about Chiefs schedule and Taylor Swift
Despite hopes for change, NASCAR championship weekend will return to Phoenix in 2025
Chiefs will achieve something not done since 1927 with 2024 schedule
Caitlin Clark's debut was most-watched WNBA game in more than 20 years
Yankees' Aaron Judge comments on resurgence after bad slump
Odell Beckham Jr. reveals why he was 'hesitant' to join Dolphins
Lakers reportedly interested in adding three-time All-Star via trade
Luka Doncic fed off negative reactions in Game 5 win over Thunder
Celtics finally put away undermanned Cavaliers, advance to conference finals
Avalanche force Game 6 with big third period vs. Stars

Want more Patriots news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.