Australian NFL star Jordan Mailata was in tears after the Philadelphia Eagles booked a spot in the Super Bowl with a resounding 31-7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game.
The win means Mailata will become the third Aussie to play in the biggest game on the NFL calendar and could also become the second Aussie to win the Super Bowl, with Jesse Williams conquering the feat with the Seattle Seahawks in 2013.
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Mailata played a key role in the Eagles’ triumph over the 49ers, with the team’s entire offensive line allowing just one sack throughout the contest.
Conference Championships
MORE COVERAGE ‘Total disaster’: Cruel QB curse strikes AGAIN as Aussie Super Bowl fairytale lives on NFL Rumour Mill: One team drops out of Brady pursuit; bleak trade reality for superstar QB College superstar, NFL prospect arrested for public intoxication after door-knocking incident Houston Texans guard Scott Quessenberry marvelled at the Aussie’s work, writing on Twitter that “Mailata did a great job not getting beat underneath” and CBS Sports anchor Pat Gallen noted how Mailata provided “perfect blocking” for the touchdown. After the game, Mailata let all of the emotions out in a special moment on the field as the former rugby league product was able to take in just how far he’d come since making his debut in 2018. It’s not just the 25-year-old who is aware of just how remarkable his story is. Australian sports commentator Dan Ginnane wrote on Twitter: “One of the great Aussie sporting stories, Jordan Mailata. Toyota Cup rugby league in 2017 but flicked for being too big … now in a Super Bowl – and he’s an essential part of that Eagles offence.” SBS sports presenter Adrian Arciuli added: “One of the great Australian sport stories. @jordan_mailata has become one of the most important players for the @Eagles and is headed to #SuperBowlLVII – the former @SSFCRABBITOHS junior only started playing the sport 5 years ago!” Mailata and the Eagles now await the outcome of the Kansas City Chiefs’ AFC Championship clash against the Cincinnati Bengals to find out who they will face in the Super Bowl on February 1.
