1 MA Native, 3 Former Pats To Play For Chiefs Play In Super Bowl 59

MASSACHUSETTS — A familiar Massachusetts name is on the roster in Sunday’s Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. There are also three former New England Patriots players looking to help the Chiefs win their third championship in a row.

One of the players on the 53-man rosters got his start in playing high school football in Massachusetts, according to High School Football America.

Noah Gray, a tight end for the Chiefs, played high school football in Leominster.

Gray was born in New Hampshire, but grew up in Worcester County — Gardner — before starting as a wide receiver and quarterback at Leominster High School. He played college football at Duke, and now serves as a useful alternative to future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce in Kansas City.

Gray was a second-team All-American at Duke in 2019, and was drafted by Kansas City in the fifth round in 2021.

Gray may play behind Kelce for the Chiefs, but he's made significant contributions this season, racking up 40 catches for 437 yards and five touchdowns, all career-highs for Gray in his fourth year in the league.

Offensive lineman Joe Thuney was drafted by the Pats in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He's developed into a superstar at the position and was picked as an All-Pro guard in 2023 and 2024. He won one Super Bowl with the Patriots and two more with the Chiefs.

Thuney has played guard for his professional career but was called on this year to play left tackle for Kansas City from week 15 on. He didn't allow a single quarterback pressure in the Chiefs' win over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game.

Another former Patriot looking for a ring with the Chiefs this year is wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster, who was with the Pats for a cup of coffee in 2023.

Smith-Schuster looked to be a star when his career began with the Pittsburgh Steelers but has settled into a depth role with the Chiefs, though he did haul in two big catches for 60 yards in the matchup with the Bills.

The Pats also dealt linebacker Josh Uche to the Chiefs earlier this season for a 2026 sixth-round pick. Uche was drafted by New England in 2020.

Overall, high school athletes from 31 different states, plus Australia will be represented when the Chiefs and Eagles battle for the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the second time in the last three years.

Florida has 14 former players (10 for Philadelphia, four for Kansas City) slated to play in America’s biggest football game.

Texas has the second most with 12 (eight for Philadelphia, four for Kansas City).