NFL Legacy: Luther Elliss reflects on son Christian ahead of Super Bowl

SAN FRANCISCO — When Christian Elliss stepped onto the field on Sunday's Super Bowl LX, he carried a family legacy few in football can match. He is one of four brothers to reach the NFL — and the son of former Lions and Broncos defensive tackle Luther Elliss, who now coaches the defensive line at the University of Utah. This week, Luther Elliss sat down with KSL to talk about what it means to watch another one of his sons reach the pinnacle of the sport. While the family is undeniably talented and disciplined, Elliss said football was never the most important thing in their home. That honor belongs to family. “To see them be able to face off against each other is pretty special,” Elliss said. The most recent matchup between the Elliss brothers came in the AFC Championship: Jonah Elliss, a linebacker for the Denver Broncos, lining up against his older brother Christian, who played the same position for the New England Patriots. After the Patriots clinched their Super Bowl berth, a video surfaced of the brothers embracing — a moment that meant more to their father than any scoreboard. “That’s what the real priceless moment is, right?” Elliss said. “That’s so much more important than, in my opinion, the game. It’s that relationship they have — and that we have as a family overall.” This Sunday, the Elliss family will be in Santa Clara cheering for Christian, who steps into the Super Bowl as a starter — a role his father said he’s grown into. “He’s pretty intense,” Elliss said. “But what he’s done better now is he’s matured, and he keeps it contained. Whereas before he was just a little bit out of control.” With experience now on his side, Elliss said Christian is prepared for the physical and mental demands of the moment. “It’s something he’s been prepped for, and we’ve talked through,” he said. “But again, there’s still the exhilaration of, ‘This is the pinnacle of our sport.’ You’ve reached the highest point, and you have a great opportunity to do something special.” Through it all, Elliss said what makes him proudest has nothing to do with tackles or stats. “He has a generous heart, he loves his people, and I’m just really proud of him,” he said. Win or lose, Elliss said the journey — shared as a family — is what truly matters. “As big as, as great as this game is, it’s not the most important thing.”

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