Monroe native Efton Chism III makes a name for himself in NFL
Published 9:50 am Friday, October 16, 2026
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Three weeks ago, Efton Chism III was a not-well-known depth piece for the New England Patriots, a second-year, undrafted receiver who appeared in just eight games in 2025, making three receptions.
And now? The former Monroe High School star is becoming a household name.
After back-to-back highlight-reel performances — his spectacular, late-in-the-fourth-quarter, one-handed touchdown reception in New England’s 29-26 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 4 at Highmark Stadium, followed by his role as the daring middle man in a hook-and-lateral play this past Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium — Chism is getting recognized when he steps out in public.
By way of example, Chism spoke of visiting a nearby Hobby Lobby Arts & Crafts Store when another customer approached and politely asked, “Are you Efton Chism III from the Patriots?” Chism answered in the affirmative, and the customer asked to take a photo. Chism was happy to participate in this chance fan-athlete interaction. Chism also spoke of being approached by a group of kids who called him out by name.
And that was supposed to be the premise of this column: Because of that dazzling catch against the Bills, because of the video-game hook-and-lateral, everyone knows Chism plays for the Patriots. He’s now one of the guys in “Cheers.” Everybody knows his name.
But then, a couple of minutes later, the story went in an entirely different direction when we began talking about Chism’s unusual given name — Efton — and its place in family history. This took us directly to Efton Lynn Chism, or Efton I, who was Efton III’s grandfather. He died in 2025, right around the time Efton III was beginning his career with the Patriots.
“He had Alzheimer’s,” Efton III said. “That was tough on us as a family.”
Let’s pause for a moment for some background on that name, Efton: It’s been in the family for more than 100 years, dating to the birth of Efton Hewitt Chism in 1922. Efton Hewitt Chism’s older brother, Neal Chism, later had a son named Efton Lynn Chism — or Efton I. His son Efton Chism II is the father of Patriots receiver Efton Chism III.
Efton III grew up in Monroe. After starring at Monroe High, he played four years at Eastern Washington, setting all kinds of school records (including most receptions in a season, passing current Seattle Seahawks receiver Cooper Kupp). After going unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft, Chism was signed by the Patriots.
If you’re the type of NFL fan whose interest is year-round, you might remember reading that Chism was an impressive performer when he arrived in Foxborough in May 2025 for organized team activities. As The Athletic’s Chad Graff wrote, “(It’s) not hyperbole to say that no player did more to improve his standing on the depth chart than Efton Chism.”
That was an important development for the Patriots, who were looking to build as much receiving depth as possible for quarterback Drake Maye. On a personal level — that is, for Chism — it meant feeling optimistic about training camp before returning home to Monroe for a visit.
“My granddad had a Patriots cap that he’d wear,” Chism said. “My dad took a photo of him wearing it. When I went back home I signed the cap. I actually got to see my grandpa a couple of more times, and those are cool moments I’ll always have.”
Chism paused.
“That disease is so tough,” he said again. “And it was just so tough for him to not always know what was going on in the moment. But he knew I was with the Patriots and that’s awesome.”
Chism returned to Foxborough to prepare for training camp. His grandfather, Efton Lynn Chism — or, Efton Chism I — died June 25. To borrow from his online obituary, “Actions speak louder than words. This statement is a good way to describe Efton Chism — a man of few words, boundless, caring actions, and a gentleman to his core.”
That I take you down this path is for no other reason than because many of us have lost good friends who suffered dementia-related illnesses. I reached out to a friend whose spouse suffered this cruel fate. Here’s what my friend told me about those last days: “Sometimes there would be something entertainment-related, and that connection was alive and well in the moment. Instead of being the Patriots or whatever, it would be a TV show or a movie, and there would be excitement and enthusiasm.”
It’s great, then, that so many people are going up to Efton Chism III to tell him they know he plays for the New England Patriots. So much greater, so much more important, is that Efton Chism I knew that Efton Chism III was playing for the Patriots.
