Pettus Family Celebrates Son's Super Bowl Appearance

Dell Pettus' family and friends cheer him on as he plays for the Patriots in Super Bowl LX

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Dell Pettus, a 24-year-old defensive back for the New England Patriots, played in Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks. Pettus' family and friends, including his parents Glenn and Tamara, his younger brother Micah, and his longtime friends Chris Joiner and Khalil Griffin, attended the game and supported him throughout the week leading up to the big game. Despite the Patriots' 29-13 loss, Pettus was grateful to have his loved ones there to experience the moment with him.

Why it matters

Pettus' journey to the Super Bowl is a testament to the hard work and dedication of both him and his support system. His family and friends have been with him since his youth football days, and their presence at the game meant the world to Pettus. This story highlights the importance of community and the role it plays in an athlete's success.

The details

Pettus, a former Sparkman High star player who later played at Troy University, completed his second season in the NFL with the Patriots. He posted two tackles, including one solo tackle, in the Super Bowl. Pettus' immediate family and two of his closest, long-time friends made the trip to California to watch him play. They arrived early to experience the pre-game festivities and even had the opportunity to see celebrities like Kevin Costner, Jamie Foxx, and Jessica Alba in the celebrity box seats.

  • Pettus played in Super Bowl LX on February 18, 2026.
  • Pettus' younger brother Micah is expected to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft after completing his college career at Florida State.

The players

Dell Pettus

A 24-year-old defensive back for the New England Patriots who played in Super Bowl LX.

Glenn Pettus

Dell's father, who was once the coach of Dell and his friends growing up in the Harvest area.

Tamara Pettus

Dell's mother, who is a longtime teacher and coach at Monrovia Middle School.

Micah Pettus

Dell's younger brother, who is expected to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft after completing his college career at Florida State.

Chris Joiner

One of Dell's longtime friends and former teammates, who played at Tennessee State.

Khalil Griffin

One of Dell's longtime friends and former teammates, who played at Alabama A&M.

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What they’re saying

“This was nothing more than a blessing as there's no better word to describe it.”

— Dell Pettus (The Madison Record)

“What stands out the most to us was on Friday morning we loaded on bus that took us to the Food Pantry of Silicon Valley called the Second Hand of Harvest where we volunteered packing food boxes for those struggling to make ends meet.”

— Tamara Pettus, Dell's mother (The Madison Record)

“The first thing my family said to me was I did a good job and they loved me. That was the best part.”

— Dell Pettus (The Madison Record)

What’s next

Dell Pettus plans on visiting his hometown of Harvest for a couple months this spring and another few weeks during the summer, where he hopes to host a football camp for the local youth.

The takeaway

Dell Pettus' journey to the Super Bowl is a testament to the power of community and the support of loved ones. Despite the Patriots' loss, Pettus' family and friends were there to celebrate his accomplishments and remind him that his success is shared by all of them.