Jordan Mailata's former school and football club cheer him on for Super Bowl LIX

Australian rugby league legend Jordan Mailata is actively preparing to win his first Super Bowl ring. His former principal said it's simply a "dream come true." This achievement underscores Mailata's incredible journey and the potential for success with hard work and dedication.

Mailata's Philadelphia Eagles defeated their divisional rivals, the Washington Commanders, in the National Football Conference (NFC) Championship game last week, advancing to the Super Bowl to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday (Australian Eastern Daylight Time). Now, his alma mater in western Sydney and his childhood rugby league team are cheering him on. The entire community is rallying behind him, proud of his accomplishments on the global stage.

At Condell Park High School, a corridor displays a montage of Mailata's photos, including his former school pictures, newspaper clippings, and tributes to the Philadelphia Eagles. One student said, "He inspires all of us because he's made it and overcome adversity." His sports teacher, Kieran Flapper, shared, "I remember seeing him in Year 7 and thinking, 'This guy's definitely going to be in the football team.'" These displays serve as a constant reminder of Mailata's success and the possibilities for students.

Former Principal Sussie Mobayed has "wonderful memories" of Mailata. She said, "He was like a big teddy bear. Then we discovered his musical talent. He sings like an angel. He plays the guitar. He was also a fantastic athlete." Mailata's singing talents later led him to appear on the American version of "The Masked Singer." "It's just a dream come true because we had this young man with potential," Ms. Mobayed said. "How lucky were we that the teachers here guided his potential in music and sport and worked with him." The school takes immense pride in nurturing his talents and contributing to his success.

For Mailata, participating in the Super Bowl, let alone playing in the NFL, was never the original dream. The son of Samoan immigrants, Mailata was born in Bankstown and has loved sports, especially rugby league, since he was a child. In his younger years, he was a member of the local club, the Bankstown Bulls, for many years, starting from the under-8s group. The club's assistant secretary and coach, Lawrence Karam, has fond memories of coaching Mailata and his brothers. He told the ABC, "The family's great – they're a good sporting family, very humble." The family's dedication to sports and their humble nature were evident from the start.

Mr. Karam said that Mailata's extraordinary height, compared to other children his age, made him a funny sight on the rugby field, describing him as a "gentle giant." "For Jordan, he was just one of those young men that stood out because of his height and the way he carried himself. That size, that speed, running at you – I would duck out of the way sometimes if it was me." His imposing physical presence was both an advantage and a source of amusement during his early rugby days.

Mailata received a contract with the South Sydney Rabbitohs' under-20s team and played a few games before his rugby league dreams hit a snag. Due to his size and the league's speed limitations, Mailata switched to a sport more suited to his 166-kilogram frame – American football – and thankfully, this talent transfer was very successful. The 203-centimeter, 27-year-old Australian giant has become a key cog in the Eagles' offense. He is now considered one of the best offensive tackles in the game, so much so that he signed a three-year, $100 million contract extension last year. Mailata is one of Australia's highest-paid athletes. His transformation from rugby league player to NFL star is a testament to his adaptability and athleticism.

This is not Mailata's first time participating in the Super Bowl. Two years ago, he helped the Eagles reach the Super Bowl, although the team lost to the Chiefs 38-35. Mailata will be the second Australian to play in two Super Bowls, after kicker Mitch Wishnowsky, who appeared in the San Francisco 49ers' losses in 2020 and 2024. Now on Monday, Mailata could become the first Australian to play in a winning championship game. His school community is supporting him, with Super Bowl posters stuck to the walls with Blu-Tack and Eagles banners adorning the surroundings. Coach Karam said Mailata recently visited the Bankstown Bulls club. "He remembered every one of his teammates, his old coaches. He went above and beyond, he was signing jerseys and balls," he said. "He's very humble. He's still that big kid Jordan." The community's unwavering support and Mailata's humility highlight his strong connection to his roots and his inspiring journey to success.