Player makes history books as first Aussie to play and win Super Bowl

Jordan Mailata has made history, becoming the first Australian to play in and win a Super Bowl*.

Mailata led from the front as the Philadelphia Eagles shocked the world by thumping the Chiefs 40-22 at the American blockbuster sporting event.

While on the field at the New Orleans Superdome, Mailata was immovable and unbreakable, protecting star Eagles quarterback* Jalen Hurts and in turn putting Patrick Mahomes off his game.

Mailata was called into action immediately, with the Eagles’ offence starting with the ball, and his blocking was vital on two successful plays for Saquon Barkley and Hurts.

“Jordan Mailata has been critical in the first two plays for Philadelphia,” former Super Bowl player Ben Graham said on SEN.

On ESPN, Louis Riddick also praised the 168kg Aussie hulk as he continued to shine throughout the first half.

“Look at some of the work some of this offensive line does,” Riddick said in the second quarter.

“Jordan Mailata, again just taking his man and displacing him two yards off the line of scrimmage*. He just covers him up, it’s like its just become night-time. He just blocks out everything.

“The physical and mental exertion* you have to undergo playing against this offence, it’s unbelievable.”

Mailata played a vital role in the Eagles taking a 24-0 lead into half time.

But his domination didn’t stop there – he led from the front throughout.

Commentator Chris Fowler described the Aussie as a “dominant individual”.

“Jason Kelce has talked about how it (the role of offensive tackle) is misunderstood. It’s tough. ‘You see a big dude, no problem just run someone over, it’s simple’. No.”

Americans were blown away by Mailata’s performance, with some suggesting he deserved to be named Most Valuable Player (MVP), an honour that went to quarterback teammate Hurts.

“Can we just give some props to one of the best signings in NFL history. Nothing from the blindside, allowed Hurts to cook, the real MVP,” one fan said.

“My Super Bowl MVP is Mailata,” another added.

“MVP should really be Jordan Mailata,” another wrote.

After playing a starring role in the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory, Mailata celebrated with his teammates draped in an Australia/Samoa flag.

The enormity of Mailata’s achievement wasn’t lost on the broadcast team either.

“Think about all the kids back in Australia,” Dan Orlovsky said on ESPN.

“Now, you might not be gifted with the God-given ability to be six (foot), nine (inches), 350 pounds and move like that.

“But for a guy to come from that area, come over here and have the career that he has, it does give hope to a young kid that maybe says, ‘I want to be the next Jordan Mailata’.”

The Super Bowl victory caps off an incredible rise.

Mailata had never touched a gridiron* ball and used to work on demolition sites – now he is a Super Bowl champion.

The Aussie was taken as pick No. 233 in the 2018 draft by the Eagles on pure potential alone.

Standing 203cm and weighing 168kg, Mailata is a giant and the Eagles decided to take a chance on the little-known Aussie.

And what a stroke of genius that decision turned out to be.

While Mailata’s achievement made Australian sporting history, he was not the first ever Aussie to receive a Super Bowl champion ring. In 2014, Jesse Williams became the first Australian to win a ring, despite not taking the field for the Seattle Seahawks during the 2013 NFL season.

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GLOSSARY

• Super Bowl: annual championship game of the US National Football League (NFL), a federation of professional gridiron football teams in the States
• quarterback: key player in American and Canadian football, positioned usually behind the centre, who directs attacking play
• scrimmage: clash of opposing linemen in American football
• exertion: effort, hard work, strain, struggle
• gridiron: refers to American football (NFL) as well as a field painted with NFL lines for play

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QUICK QUIZ

1. How did Jordan Mailata make history at the Super Bowl?
2. How tall is Mailata and how much does he weigh?
3. Which NFL team does Mailata play for in the US and who did they beat?
4. What does MVP stand for and which player claimed the honour over Mailata?
5. What was the final score at the Super Bowl?

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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Aussie Super Bowl hero
Jordan Mailata is a name you might not have heard until he played a starring role in the NFL Super Bowl final for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Mailata played Rugby League growing up, but had never played American NFL until joining an international pathway program. His first ever sign-on fee was $5000 for the South Sydney Rabbitohs Rugby League team. This year he signed a contract extension with the Philadelphia Eagles for $66 million.

• What physical traits does Mailata possess that helped him achieve this level?
• A lot of men weighing that much wouldn’t be able to move that well. How do you think Mailata has become an elite athlete utilising his size and strength?
• What injuries would he have to be careful of playing in the NFL?
• What might the future hold for Jordan Mailata and his family?
• Do you think more Aussie kids will be interested in playing NFL in the future?

Time: allow 15 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

2. Extension
Estimate how many of you or a friend in your class it would take to be a similar weight and height to Jordan Mailata.

How do his physical attributes assist him in being an NFL superstar?

Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Mathematics, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

VCOP ACTIVITY
Imaginative dialogue
Imagine you were there playing with or against Mailata at the Super Bowl.

Create a conversation between two NFL players – you may need or want to include yourself as one of them. Don’t forget to try to use facts and details from the article to help make your dialogue as realistic as possible.

Go through your writing and highlight any punctuation you have used in green. Make sure you carefully check the punctuation used for the dialogue and ensure you have opened and closed the speaking in the correct places.