From Rejection to NFL Stardom: The Inspiring Journey of Bankstown’s Rising Athlete, Offering Valuable Advice to Aspiring Players Everywhere

A 203cm giant from Bankstown who was rejected from the NRL is now an NFL superstar sitting on a mammoth $108million contract, telling young athletes to ‘go for it’ and do anything to pursue their dreams.

Jordan Mailata started as left tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, just four years after first learning the ins and outs of one of America’s most beloved sports.

The 24-year-old, who grew up in Sydney’s south-west, had been hoping for a career in the NRL but was ultimately dropped, being told he was too big and couldn’t last on the field for long enough.

He was offered a spot in South Sydney’s second grade feeder team for a measly $5,000.

But just as his rugby league prospects started to look bleak, Mailata’s management put together a highlights video which ended up on the desks of NFL scouts.

Jordan Mailata (pictured with his partner) started for the Philadelphia Eagles this week after scoring himself a mammoth $108million contract

‘All I knew about the NFL was what I’d seen in movies like Remember The Titans and The Blind Side with Sandra Bullock,’ he told A Current Affair.

‘When it came out everyone in Canterbury was calling me Big Mike, like the guy in that movie.’

His four-year contract with the Eagles now makes him one of Australia’s richest athletes and the wealthiest Aussie in the NFL.

In the 2018 NFL draft, Mailata was selected in the seventh round by the Eagles as the 233rd overall pick following a gruelling training camp.

He’d been invited to attend the camp that year as part of the Pathways Program for foreign players.

He then spent years learning the game and training intensively, with the former Rabbitohs Under 20s star finally making his NFL debut in 2020.

Being told to put on more weight for the league, Mailata now weighs a whopping 160kg and has earned himself a starting position.

‘I came over here knowing nothing about this game but I’ve learned the game and learned how to love it,’ he said.

The 24-year-old (pictured in his Eagles jersey) had hoped for a career in the NRL but was ultimately told he was too big for the pace of the game
The 203cm giant (pictured at training) made his NFL debut last year and has since earned himself a starting position
In the 2018 NFL draft, Mailata (pictured with his partner) was selected in the seventh round by the Eagles as the 233rd overall pick following a gruelling training camp

‘Now I want to win the championship for the Philly fans.’

Having nearly missed out on a professional sporting career himself, the 24-year-old encouraged anyone training to be an elite athlete to commit to it fully.

‘If you really want to put all your eggs in one basket, do it, don’t look back,’ he said.

‘You gotta do it. For me there was no plan B.’

Following the Eagles’ 32-6 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, American football fans were more than impressed at Mailata’s ability.

Having nearly missed out on a professional sporting career himself, the 24-year-old encouraged anyone training to be an elite athlete to commit to it fully
The superstar athlete (pictured with his partner) says he plans to buy his parents a house following his contract extension

Footage of a crushing block by the 24-year-old did the rounds on social media with many praising the Aussie recruit.

Speaking after the game, Mailata said he felt ‘extremely blessed’ with his contract extension and revealed how he’d put his new paycheck to work.

‘Everyone (at home) called me ‘Big Money’. I told them not to call me that,’ he said.

‘I’ve been wanting to buy my parents a house so I can finally do that.

‘I think it is a movie. I’m just waiting for someone to say ”cut”, then all the lights come down.’

Jordan Mailata's great size (pictured) has helped him develop his skills as a left tackle in the NFL

Related Posts

Bills GM Explodes! Brandon Beane Doesn’t Hold Back After Radio Comment That Got Him Mad

By JAKE NISSE Published: 05:13 BST, 29 April 2025 | Updated: 13:29 BST, 29 April 2025 Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane called into a local radio show on Monday to scold two hosts over one of ‘the dumbest arguments I’ve heard.’ WGR 550 co-hosts  Jeremy White …

Read more

Mini Trainer in Action! Patrick Mahomes’ Daughter Surprises Everyone with Her 4-Year-Old Workout Routine

Patrick and Brittany Mahomes ‘ eldest child is already following in their footsteps. The athletes’ 4-year-old daughter, Sterling, worked out with tiny gym equipment in videos posted to Brittany’s Instagram Story on Monday. The little one panted as she …

Read more

Pat McAfee Sparks Controversy: Caught Smoking on NFL Draft Set… and Offers It to Mike McCarthy?

Pat McAfee and Mike McCarthy (Photos via Twitter) What could possibly go wrong during the NFL draft? Nothing, if Pat McAfee is in charge of keeping up the mood. Initially, it was doubtful if McAfee would do a life right from Green Bay or not. However, …

Read more

Dramática Misión de 7 Horas: El Emotivo Intento por Salvar a un Grupo de Delfines en Peligro

Los delfines varados fueron descubiertos por caminantes después de que bajó la marea Por POPPY ATKINSON GIBSON Publicado: 16:01 BST, 1 de febrero de 2024 | Actualizado: 16:01 BST, 1 de febrero de 2024 Una familia de seis delfines fueron salvados en una misión de rescate de siete horas después de ser …

Read more

Valentía Pura: Mujeres Desafían las Gélidas Aguas del Reino Unido para Rescatar a un Delfín en Peligro

Amy Walker, Carrie Warrior y Sarah Gale rescataron a un delfín el 29 de diciembre El mamífero marino quedó atrapado cerca de las rocas en Rock-A-Nore Beach, East Sussex Las mujeres, que juegan en el equipo local de rounders, rescataron al delfín la semana pasada.

Read more

Bills Owner’s Daughter Surprises Bad Bunny With a Two-Word Message

Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula’s daughter, Kelly Pegula, acknowledged rapper Bad Bunny’s latest album, “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS,” by sharing a screenshot of the project on her Instagram story Sunday. She added a brief two-word message: “So good.” Buffalo …

Read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *