Jordan Mailata savours becoming first Australian to win Super Bowl after Eagles defeat Chiefs 40-22

Jordan Mailata didn't want to sound too profound after becoming the first Australian player to win a Super Bowl.

The son of Samoan immigrants, born in Sydney, made history when his Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in the NFL's title game in New Orleans on Monday (US time). The former rugby league player offered some simple advice for any Australian dreaming of playing in the NFL.

"I don't want to sound like a philosopher," Mailata told ESPN. "But I think it goes back to the start of everything: Don't be afraid to test the waters. You've got to immerse yourself, you've got to put yourself in that atmosphere. Whatever you want to do, learn how to swim."

Mailata played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs and had never played American football until he was drafted by the Eagles in 2018. Now, he is signed to a three-year, $105 million contract extension with the Eagles, and his name will forever be etched in sporting history. "It's been a crazy journey so far," Mailata said.

Mailata is also the first Australian to play in two Super Bowls, successfully avenging the Chiefs, who beat his Eagles to lift the famous Vince Lombardi Trophy two years ago. When asked what it meant to be the first Australian to play on a Super Bowl-winning team, Mailata replied: "I love it. It's so cool."

Mailata is one of four Australians to have played in a Super Bowl. But he is the first to win, with punters Ben Graham (Arizona, 2009), Mitch Wishnowsky (San Francisco, 2020) and Arryn Siposs – Mailata's Eagles teammate two years ago – all members of losing teams. Another Australian does own a Super Bowl ring: Jesse Williams was on the Seattle Seahawks' roster for their 2014 win but did not play a game all season due to a knee injury.

Mailata proudly waved the Australian flag on the presentation dais in New Orleans. The offensive lineman also draped a Samoan flag around his neck after the Super Bowl, parading around the Superdome. Mailata, who stands at 2.03m and weighs 166kg, said his imposing physical presence is accompanied by a crucial mindset. "You've got to want to be stronger," he told Fox Sports NFL. "We were up against a great defensive line, so we knew we had to answer the call. It's not easy, you've got to have that want."