In 2015, Jarryd Hayne sent the Australia media into sparks, when he announced he was leaving the NRL, in his absolute prime, to try and attempt to achieve a childhood goal and make it in the NFL.
At the end of 2017, young gun Valentine Holmes did the exact same thing as Hayne. Both players were seemingly at the top of their game in the NRL, both had valid credentials and were thriving in the sport. They both left at their peaks, returned, and have struggled to reach that peak again (especially Hayne).
On the other scale of this NFL dream, you have the unheralded Jordan Mailata. Mailata played SG Ball for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and then in the 20s competition for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. He was not your household name, but he was a very big frame who ran over his opponents with ease, and looked like a man playing against children at times.
In 2017, he finished his under-20s career with Souths, playing in 12 games, and scoring eight tries. In 2018, Mailata attended the IMG Academy in Florida, to try and chase a dream he saw from the movie The Blind Side, in attempting to try out as an offensive tackle.
In 2018, the big Aussie enters the NFL draft, as a largely unknown pick, and is selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round, as the 233rd overall pick. Although he made the 53-man squad in 2018, Mailata didn’t start until season 2020, due to an injury to Hall of Fame tackle, Jason Peters.
Ever since then, Mailata has gone in long strides to get better as an official NFL athlete, and not a league player turned football player. To go from a fairly unknown athlete in Australia in his given sport, to then turn out for a sport abroad he never played, is a huge risk.
After sustaining many injuries between 2018 and 2020 and missing many games he could’ve potentially played, the past off-season in 2021 was the huge turning point.
In pre-season camps, Mailata had always shown improvement and fans have become very much aware of his skills and talents, but with Peters (the left tackle for the Eagles and a sure thing Hall of Famer) not re-signed by the club and deciding to retire as an Eagle, it was Jordan’s time to shine.
With a strong pre-season camp leading into the current season, Mailata was happily awarded the left tackle spot in the offensive line.
With all his background covered, the question needs to be asked: where has the media or fanfare been for this unheralded hero?
When Hayne and Val attempted their ventures and eventually both failed in, they were given all forms of media following them. Yes, Hayne made the final squad and Val made the practice squad, but none of them were guaranteed starters, like Mailata.
Let me paint the picture of how hard what Mailata has done is to do.
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Eagles, when healthy, have a top-five NFL offensive line in a competition of 32 teams. An offensive line consist of five positions: left tackle and guard, a centre, and a right tackle and guard.
Mailata starts alongside three Pro Bowl linemen in their own rights, in centre Jason Kelce (strongly considered the best centre in football), right guard Brandon Brooks (three-time Pro Bowler) and right tackle Lane Johnson (All-Pro).
To work your way onto a starting line-up in a NFL squad is no easy feat, but to do it on such a formidable offensive line that is one of the best in the competition when healthy – that is a huge statement. Despite the fact he won the starting position at left tackle for the Eagles, there was very minimal coverage on it in Australian sports media outlets.
To make matters worse, Jordan just signed a whopping four-year, $64 million deal, with $40 million guaranteed, this past week. If that is not enough to make the Australian media celebrate this man, I don’t know what is!
Entering Game 1 for season 2021, Mailata played 100 per cent of snaps, and was vital in a crushing block to lead to an Eagles touchdown.
In a world full of fan favourites and cinderella stories, in Australian sport, there may never be a story like this ever again.
A young Samoan man, growing up playing rugby league in Bankstown, who then follows a chance at an opportunity based on a hit movie, then eventually makes an NFL squad and subsequently becomes a starter on one of the best lines in the NFL… there really isn’t much more you can say about this incredible story.
Australian media, you got behind two high profile athletes who both failed. Let’s get behind the underdog and not claim him when it may be too late, and give this man his roses.
Here’s to Jordan Mailata, Australian sport’s biggest underdog story!
Michael Brogan
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the article Willie. You are correct, Mailata is unheralded and could be better known for his commitment. I wonder if the local rugby league media is shy of reporting on him because it could result in more NRL stars seeking opportunities in NFL. As is clear from Hayne and Holmes the chances of obtaining a big pay day are very slim unless you put in years of work. I hope you keep reporting on him and other Australians in the college system. I hope he has a great year, except for when he plays divisional rival Dallas. Go Cowboys!
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
Honestly, the Australian media is either AFL or NRL, both of which have seen superstars that have left to have careers in the NFL. Each League seems to be salty about the defections and this leaks into the cynical media which mainly focuses on the failed bids of high profile players. Maybe follow up this article with a more in depth look at the actual success stories of Aussies in the NFL. Adam Gotsis, Mitch Wishnowski, Michael Dickson, Jordan Berry etc who didn't start out in either NRL or AFL. It is a rich history. I'm watching Wishnowski right now, unfortunately having to punt a lot (come on Niners), but he is getting elite results and has taken a very different path to the NFL.
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
Jesse never actually played. Great college career, but never translated into the bigtime.
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
*not all Aussie Punters are ex-AFL. Many have gone through specialised programs and travelled to America, some for tryouts and others for college. 49ers Punter Mitch Wishnowski is an Aussie who was drafted out of college and played in the Super Bowl in his rookie year.
FantasyFootballDownUnder
Roar Rookie
The reality is that most fans don't understand offensive line play, or how important it is. Mailata should be considered the most successful Aussie to play in the NFL at this point, that's how impressive his accomplishments are. He will also likely sign a new deal in 2 years as this is huge discount for a starting LT. Congratulations to him and his family.
Dan Farthing
Guest
What about Jesse Williams - defensive tackle for Sea Hawks during their Super Bowl winning seasons, all around the same time Hayne and Holmes were being heralded as ground breakers. The Monstar was already there in the best team in the NFL, in a starting position (he did have horrific injury run and then cancer) but Hayne was being talked up something chronic.
Pinati Williams
Guest
Greatful for this young man for his achievement and commitment. I want to thank him for donating $750 to a fundraising were hosting on the GoFundMe page for an Elderly Home in Samoa calle Mapuifagale. Thank you so much Jordan for your Love and contribution. May God Bless You Abundantly. Faafetai.
Shibo
Guest
Yo from Philly! We love him here. Give him some love from down under!
Aaron
Guest
He came into the NFL very grounded and his attitude to learn is an inspiration.He had to learn a lot of plays and learn his position. He got injured but kept chipping away and now he’s earned his spot. And there’s more talent available from him as he can run the ball and tackle and at 6’8 360 left tackle is his position atm. Champion
Willie La'ulu
Roar Guru
The only reason Punters aren't mentioned here is due to 2 things: 1, they are all ex-AFL players, they all knew how to kick a ball, and they were all comfortable doing so. 2, lets be honest, punters may kick 3-5x a game, maximum. Mailata is playing not only in a sport he didn't have any experience in, but is playing every snap on offense (which in Week 1 was 70). A lot more work, hence I think he deserves a little more fanfare, than the punters.
Maximus Insight
Guest
*in the NFL (obviously)
Maximus Insight
Guest
This is dead right. There have been a stack of Aussie punters in the AFL and the ones who have received significant media coverage are the three players who had significant AFL careers (Bennett, Graham and Rocca). All the others, like Michael Dickson who may well best all those three NFL careers, are Australian footballers who didn't make the chop in the AFL but had a freakish leg and so had a second pro sport chance in a sport with very specialised positions. This seems analagous to Mailata The fact that this article didn't mention Aussie punters at all just highlights that most people in this country are more interested in the story of the representative from their sport playing in the NFL lights rather than the generic "aussie overseas". Haynes was hardly a big story south of the murrumbidgee.
David
Guest
While position is a factor. The main reason he doesn't get the recognition is because he wasn't a star before he left and he didn't establish himself as a name in college that translated to hype during the draft. Just look at Australia's NFL speciality the punters If you're a big name AFL player before going over like Sav Rocka you get publicity If your college career caused a fuss you get publicty like Michael Dickson But Mailata's teammate Arryn Siposs played 28 of a possible 92 games (excluding finals) over 4 years for St Kilda went to Auburn Uni then went undrafted in 2020, spent the year on the Lions practice squad before having 4 punts 3 downed inside the 20 with an average of 47.3 yards per punt in his NFL regular season debut. while it's just one week and all that for context the Special Teams player of the week Brad Pinon had 4 punts 3 inside the 20 and an average of 49.3. Yet like with Mailata nothing is said and yes Mailata is the bigger story but you can find examples like this everywhere. If Jason Taumalolo did what Mailata has done he would have been close to the lead story in papers and on the TV news.
Sess
Guest
Awesome read !
Willie La'ulu
Roar Guru
Man, it is so dissappointing! So much good from Australian athletes, and they just overlooked or not looked into at all!
AJ Mithen
Expert
Don't get me started on this Willie! Lots of aussies overseas doing great things with incredible stories that get pushed aside for guff!
Willie La'ulu
Roar Guru
What does scoring have to do with anything? The fact he’s an unknown prospect, now starting on a very competitive line, and is getting absolutely no fanfare, is pretty ridiculous to me. FYI - Hayne and Val were essentially punt returners, not much scoring in that aswell….
lilzot
Roar Rookie
Absolutely agree, He is a great story of overcoming many obstacles to achieve his dream. This is such a complex sport & to get to this level of performance over a short time period is exceptional.
bazza200
Guest
Key reason is they were playing in the glamour positions ? Linemen are not glamour position very low chance of scoring ever.