All eyes aren’t just on Patrick Surtain II when he’s on the field; they’re on the story that surrounds him. In a Denver park not far from downtown, the 80-pound, 10-month-old Doberman named Deuce steals the show with ears up and a wagging tail, darting between pebbles and a friend’s dog as nearby fans soak up a sunny afternoon. But on the football side, Surtain is already writing the next chapters of a life that’s been a blend of talent, lineage and relentless work.
If Deuce were a football player, you’d call him a speedster. Surtain, a quiet, unassuming star, offers a smile and a practical comparison: “He’d be a good little receiver. He’s got the speed, changes direction well.” Then comes the kicker—“I’d lock him up though. He wouldn’t get off the line of scrimmage.” It’s exactly the mindset that has defined Surtain’s rise: confident, efficient and almost always in control.
The nickname PS2 isn’t a novelty; it’s the thread that ties Surtain’s life to football’s long, multi-city tapestry. He’s Patrick Surtain II, carrying the family name through every stadium and street he’s navigated since childhood. The elder Surtain—Big Pat—wasn’t just his dad; he was a pro corner in Miami, a longtime presence in the NFL who later coached his son at American Heritage in Plantation, Florida, where Little Pat’s love for the game began taking deep root. The moniker PS2 stuck from the day a teammate started calling him that, and it followed him to Alabama, where the number 2 jersey became a personal signature during a national championship run.
Surtain’s road to the pros included a formative two years at Alabama, where he wore the national championship banner with pride and learned to fuse elite playmaking with a studious, coachable mindset that would define him at Denver. When he entered the NFL in 2021 after a draft that felt almost ceremonial in its return to normalcy, the Broncos matched his pedigree with the uniform numbers that had become his calling card.
This was a big offseason for Surtain. He had helped the Broncos rebound to a playoff berth after years of coaching changes and quarterback churn, and in February he earned an award that could reshape how teams and fans see him: Defensive Player of the Year. It was a landmark moment that put a formal capstone on the work he’d been doing quietly, day after day, with a mix of tenacity and humility that teammates and coaches alike say is rare for someone at his level.
The story isn’t just about a player who shines on Sundays; it’s about a family deeply woven into the sport’s fabric. Big Pat’s coaching path intersected with Little Pat’s early life, sometimes pulling the younger Surtain from the field to hear his father’s notes and guidance in a way that made feedback feel like a lifeline rather than a reprimand. Yet, even as a son with a future that looked inevitable, Little Pat treated the work with a normalcy that made him easier to root for. “I just play the game,” he says, a line that many who’ve watched him climb would call a defining trait.
Surtain’s NFL journey has included its share of dramatic moments. His first-season highlight came early with a preseason pick-six in Minnesota, a moment that his family celebrated from the stands in No. 2 Broncos gear. The following years brought the clash of divisions and the weather of altitude—the kind of conditions that can test even the most prepared players. A difficult game in South Florida, where the Broncos fell to a 70-point onslaught by Miami, could have derailed a less steady mind. Instead, it became a galvanizing memory that the defense used to sharpen its resolve, finishing that season strong and building momentum into the next.
The arrival of rookie quarterback Bo Nix and a defense intent on proving itself changed the Broncos’ arc. Denver’s defense ranked among the league’s best in points allowed and efficiency as the team surged back toward respectability and a playoff appearance, a turnaround Surtain helped lead with both his play and his leadership. The season culminated with a Wild Card exit, but the tone for a hopeful future had been set.
Off the field, Surtain remains grounded. He’s explored new corners of the globe during the offseason, even venturing to Japan to see temples and Mount Fuji, a reminder that there’s life beyond the field. He’s taken up golf and, perhaps most enduringly, remains deeply involved with his foundation, strengthening the roots he’s planted in Denver. And family remains a constant—Big Pat continues to mentor from a distance, providing pointers and perspective, while Little Pat continues to learn and grow, always aware that the legacy he’s building is as much about how he conducts himself as it is about the plays he makes.
The path ahead is clear in a division packed with minds that coach and schemes that challenge. The Super Bowl remains the top prize on Surtain’s list, with a Hall of Fame trajectory also within sight if he keeps progressing at the current pace. The tattoo on his body—LEGACY running down one leg and SURTAINLY BLESSED across his arms—capsulizes a life chasing a broader dream: to honor the family name while writing his own extraordinary chapter in the NFL.
What makes this story compelling isn’t just the statistics or the accolades; it’s the sense that Surtain has grown into the role of a franchise player who can elevate a defense and lead by example, both on the field and in the community. With Deuce’s playful energy in the park as a counterpoint to his professional discipline, the image is clear: this is a player who understands both the gravity of what he’s chasing and the joy found in the everyday moments that keep a championship mindset grounded.
Summary:
Patrick Surtain II has transformed a second-generation NFL story into a standout career characterized by elite play, steady leadership and a grounded personal life. From the Alabama championship run to a rapid rise in Denver, his journey—backed by a family rooted in the sport—has combined big-stage achievements with a humble, coachable approach. He’s earned the Defensive Player of the Year honor, helped his team rebound to respectability, and continues to balance football with a growing off-field footprint, including travel, golf, and philanthropic work. The road ahead holds the promise of a Super Bowl and, for many, a place in the Hall of Fame, all built on a legacy that remains very much in progress.