Chism Charts His Path to the Super Bowl

After defying the odds to earn a roster spot with the New England Patriots, Efton Chism, one of Eastern’s greatest wide receivers, is poised to take his place on professional football’s biggest stage.

If activated for New England’s 53-man lineup, Chism will face all-time Eagle great Cooper Kupp in Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. For Chism, suiting up in NFL’s premier event would be the perfect end to a true gridiron Cinderella story — one that has made him a big fan favorite in New England.

After his debut was delayed by a knee injury, Chism, an undrafted rookie receiver and kick returner, went on to play a key role in positioning the Patriots for their successful run to the AFC Championship. In a Dec. 28 victory over the New York Jets, he tallied 40 yards on two receptions. A week later snagged a 35-yard reception in a win against the Miami Dolphins. During the first round of the playoffs, Chism had a 20-yard catch in the Patriots’ big win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Chism’s move to Boston came on the heels of his remarkable 2024 senior season at Eastern, one that saw him surpass Kupp’s single-season reception record with 120 catches — a total that led both the Big Sky and the FCS. Chism also led the conference and was second in the nation, with 1,311 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.

A combination of power and determination was a Chism trademark during each of his five years on the Eagle’s roster. He’s carried those qualities over to his professional career, where, when not churning out additional years after catches, his tenacity as a run blocker has gained him the respect and admiration of Patriots’ fans and teammates alike.

Before his final season at EWU, Chism cited Kupp — who returned to his home state of Washington to join the Seattle Seahawks last spring — as both an inspiration and a benchmark for success.

“Hopefully people will remember me as one of the [Eagle] greats, and I’ve been chasing that since I got here,” Chism said. “I want to go down in the same conversation as Cooper Kupp, Kendrick Bourne, and all those great receivers… You go out to Roos Field and see Coop’s records all over the place. People compare me to him, but I just want to be in the same conversation, not known as just another receiver.”

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