CONGRATS: Hunter Henry Missed the Patriots Team Plane to the Super Bowl to Welcome His Third “Little Patriot”

Santa Clara, California – February 8, 2026. In one of the most heartwarming and talked-about stories leading into Super Bowl LX, New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry made the choice of a lifetime: he deliberately missed the team’s charter flight to Levi’s Stadium so he could be present for the birth of his third child.

The Patriots had scheduled their departure from Boston on Friday afternoon, February 6, to arrive in the Bay Area with plenty of time for walkthroughs, media obligations, and final preparations for Sunday’s championship game against the Seattle Seahawks. Henry, a key veteran leader on the offense and one of quarterback Drake Maye’s most trusted targets this season, was expected to be on that plane.

Instead, he stayed behind in Massachusetts.

Early Saturday morning, Henry’s wife, Brooke, gave birth to their third child — a healthy baby boy they named Maverick James Henry. Weighing 7 pounds 11 ounces, Maverick arrived at 3:42 a.m. EST, just hours after the Patriots touched down in California without one of their starting tight ends.

In a joint statement released through the Patriots’ communications team on Sunday morning, Hunter and Brooke Henry shared the news:

“While the Super Bowl is the biggest stage in football, nothing compares to being there for the birth of your child. We welcomed our third little Patriot, Maverick James Henry, into the world this morning. Hunter made the decision to stay home so he could be by Brooke’s side — and we have zero regrets. Thank you to the Patriots organization, Coach Mayo, my teammates, and the fans for the understanding and support. We’ll be cheering loud from home, and we can’t wait to celebrate with everyone soon.”

The Patriots organization quickly issued a supportive response:

“We fully respect Hunter’s decision to be with his family during this special moment. Hunter has been a model professional and leader all season. His presence will be felt in our locker room and on the field. We send our love and congratulations to Hunter, Brooke, and the newest member of the Henry family.”

Head coach Jerod Mayo addressed the media briefly during Saturday’s availability: “Hunter is family. When family calls, you answer. We’ve got 52 other guys ready to go, and Hunter will be with us in spirit. Congratulations to him and Brooke on the new baby boy.”

Henry’s decision drew widespread praise across the NFL community. Players, coaches, and analysts highlighted the human side of professional sports, often overshadowed by the relentless pursuit of championships.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce posted on X: “Big respect to Hunter Henry. Rings are forever, but moments with your kids are priceless. Congrats to the Henry family on baby Maverick!”

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen added: “That’s what it’s all about. Congrats, Hunter. Go be dad first — the game will always be there.”

Even Seahawks players, the Patriots’ opponents, showed class. Tight end Noah Fant tweeted: “Huge congrats to Hunter and Brooke on the new addition. Family > everything. See you on the field… but not really, because you’re doing the right thing.”

Henry’s journey to this moment has been one of perseverance. Drafted in the second round by the Chargers in 2016, he battled injuries early in his career, missing significant time with knee and shoulder issues. He signed with the Patriots as a free agent in 2021 and quickly became a reliable red-zone threat and locker-room leader. This season, despite turning 31 in December, Henry posted career highs in receptions (68) and yards (812), helping guide rookie-turned-starter Drake Maye through his first full campaign as the Patriots’ franchise quarterback.

Off the field, Henry has always prioritized family. He and Brooke married in 2020 and welcomed their first child, a daughter named Sutton, in 2022, followed by a son, Hudson, in 2024. Maverick’s arrival completes their family of five.

The timing of the birth — just 48 hours before kickoff — made Henry’s decision especially difficult. The Patriots had already named veteran tight end Austin Hooper as the starter for Sunday’s game, with Pharaoh Brown and Jaheim Bell expected to see increased snaps. Team officials confirmed Henry would not travel to California until after the birth and would join the team only if the birth occurred early enough to allow same-day travel. When labor progressed overnight Friday into Saturday, the decision became clear: he would stay.

Social media lit up with support. The hashtag #LittlePatriot trended nationwide, with fans posting photos of Patriots gear next to baby onesies, ultrasound pictures edited with the Patriots logo, and heartfelt messages. One viral post read: “Hunter Henry chose fatherhood over the Super Bowl flight. That’s the kind of man you want raising the next generation of Pats fans.”

The story also sparked broader conversation about work-life balance in professional sports. Several retired players shared their own regrets about missing family milestones due to travel or game commitments. Former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski commented on his podcast: “I missed a lot of stuff early in my career. Hunter did the right thing. The ring is great, but seeing your kid born — that’s the real Super Bowl moment.”

For the Patriots, the absence of their starting tight end is a blow. Henry has been Maye’s safety valve on third downs and in the red zone all season. However, the team has rallied around the story, turning it into a source of motivation. Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte told reporters: “Hunter’s doing what a real leader does — putting family first. We’re playing for him, for Brooke, for Maverick. That’s extra fuel.”

As kickoff approaches, the focus will shift back to the field. But long after the final whistle, Hunter Henry’s decision will be remembered as one of the defining human stories of Super Bowl LX — a reminder that even on the biggest stage in sports, some victories happen far away from the stadium lights.

Congratulations to Hunter, Brooke, and the newest Little Patriot. Maverick James Henry arrived surrounded by love — and with a father who chose him over everything else.