Super Bowl success doesn't feel real: Aussie Mailata

Yahoo

11-02-2025

After a "crazy" all-night party, Jordan Mailata is grappling with his new-found fame.
The first Australian to play in a Super Bowl victory celebrated throughout the night with his triumphant Philadelphia Eagles.
The son of Samoan immigrants didn't sleep after his Eagles toasted their 40-22 trouncing of Kansas City in the NFL's grandest game.
"I can't say what happened in the party - but it was crazy in the party," he told Good Morning America.
Mailata said his achievement had yet to sink in.
"I'm not really sure how to describe it ... it doesn't feel real," the 27-year-old said.
Mailata and his Eagles then flew to Philadelphia from New Orleans, the scene of their victory.
They touched down late Monday afternoon local time, landing at Philadelphia International Airport to a raucous greeting by a large contingent of fans who roared in delight when Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie hoisted the famous Vince Lombardi Trophy as he got off the plane.
Police on the tarmac were among people taking photographs of the victors, who left the tarmac in several buses as the city of Philadelphia continued mopping up after the previous night's wild festivities.
Eagles fans flocked to the streets of Pennsylvania's largest city but police reported no major problems - they made 10 arrests including six people who were charged with assaulting officers.
City crews were still working on Monday to clear confetti, trash and other debris from some downtown locations as the office of Philadelphia mayor Cherelle Parker announced plans for a public parade for Mailata and his Eagles on Friday.
Mailata is one of four Australians to play in a Super Bowl but the only winner, with countrymen Ben Graham (Arizona, 2009), Mitch Wishnowsky (San Francisco, 2020) and Arryn Siposs, who was Mailata's Eagles teammate two years ago, all losing.
One other Australian has a Super Bowl ring, given to victors, but Jesse Williams was was injured and didn't play during the season when his Seattle Seahawks won in 2014.
The Bankstown-born Mailata, who played junior rugby league, featured in the NFL's international pathway program in 2018.
The Eagles' offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland was told by Philadelphia executive Howie Roseman to check out Mailata, who stands 2.03-metres tall and now weighs 166 kilograms.
"I didn't know want to expect," Stoutland told BBC Sport.
"I was told he was a rugby player. So I was like: What am I doing?
"It was the greatest decision I ever made, other than marrying my wife.
"I put on these drills and all of a sudden this giant guy was just flying through the cones."
Stoutland was astonished by Mailata's athleticism but tried to contain his wonder - he didn't want to alert a scout from a rival franchise.
"I was like: 'God', but I didn't show that expression at the time because there was another team there and I didn't want them to see my passion for him, I wanted to downplay it.
"And, boy oh boy, I got out of that workout and called Howie and said: 'Let me get my hands on this guy'."
Mailata, despite never playing American football, was plucked by the Eagles with the 233rd pick at the 2018 draft and spent the next two years in practice squads.
"It was a grind for a few years," Stoutland said.
"Then all of a sudden one day, I mean it, the light came on and he became confident in his knowledge. Every year he just went to a new level."
Mailata made his NFL debut in 2020; reached the Super Bowl with Philadelphia in 2023, who lost.
In April last year, the Australian's status as one of the NFL's best offensive linesman was confirmed when he signed a three-year, $US66 million ($A105 million) contract extension with the Eagles.