Atonio Mafi described getting drafted by the Patriots as a “full circle” moment.
The rookie offensive lineman is from San Mateo, California, which is also Tom Brady’s hometown.
Mafi played high school football at Brady’s alma mater, Junipero Serra. The school’s football stadium is named after Brady and his family. The legendary quarterback’s name was “everywhere” at the school, and he would occasionally wish the team luck via FaceTime before big games, Mafi said.
Although he lived more than 3,000 miles away at the time, Mafi grew up a Patriots fan because of Brady’s connection to San Mateo.