Patriots extra points: Super Bowl XLIX team returning for Sunday’s home opener

FOXBORO — Before Sunday’s home opener versus Seattle, the Patriots will honor former cornerback Malcolm Butler and other members of their 2014 championship team that beat the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX.

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Butler grabbed the game-winning interception at the end of that Super Bowl, one of the most dramatic and memorable in NFL history. On Sunday, he will ring the bell atop the Gillette Stadium lighthouse pregame as the day’s “Keeper of the Light.” Butler will be among 20-plus players to return for a weekend of celebration that comes roughly 10 years after that 28-24 victory.

“It’s an honor to come back and celebrate with my teammates and the fans who have supported us throughout the years,” Butler told the team’s website. “That game was a defining moment in all of our careers, and it’s something we will never forget.”

The Patriots announced they invited all coaches and players from that year’s team, though prominent members, including Tom Brady, have conflicting broadcast obligations that will prevent them from attending. According to the team, for some players, Sunday will be their first visit to Foxboro since that season.

The game will also mark Seattle’s first trip to play the Patriots in eight years.

Extra points

The Patriots are the NFL’s heaviest team, according to league data pulled from Week 1 rosters and announced Thursday. Patriots players weigh an average of 249.02 pounds, while the Texans are the NFL’s lightest team with an average weigh-in of 236.77 pounds. … Ex-Patriots tight end Pharaoh Brown is eager to face his former team Sunday, according to Seattle coach Mike MacDonald. Brown signed with Seattle this offseason and missed the team’s opener, but practiced to start the week Wednesday. … Both of the Patriots’ top quarterbacks will reunite with an old friend Sunday. Jacoby Brissett backed up ex-Washington starter and new Seattle backup Sam Howell last season, after Howell handed the reins to fellow North Carolina alum Drake Maye after declaring for the NFL Draft in 2022. … The Seahawks will fly 2,496 miles to play at New England, their longest trip of the season and one of the longest in the NFL.

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