Aussie NFL star Jordan Mailata’s message to South Sydney ahead of NRL Grand Final
Jordan Mailata is making a name for himself in the NFL but he made time to give his old side a message ahead of the NRL grand final.
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Australian NFL star Jordan Mailata has wished South Sydney well ahead of Sunday’s NRL Grand Final against Penrith.
The 24-year-old is currently playing as an offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles and has made a big impression with his trademark bone-crunching blocks on opposition players.
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Mailata was picked by the Eagles in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL draft but his first few seasons were riddled by injury and he didn’t make his debut until September last year.
Last month, Mailata was named as the starting offensive tackle at the Philadelphia Eagles, securing a whopping four-year contract that could be worth up to $108 million ($USD 80m) — if he meets performance bonus clauses.
The mammoth deal puts him near the top of Australia’s highest-earning athletes right now.
He left die hard NFL fans in awe when he put on some brutal blocks in his starting debut, helping Philadelphia secure a comfortable win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Mailata grew up in Bankstown playing rugby league and played in South Sydney’s Under 20s side.
But his NRL dream was snuffed out when he suddenly collapsed during a training session and was told by coaches he didn’t have the endurance to make it as a professional rugby league player.
Two of Mailata’s teammates in that junior Souths team — Campbell Graham and Keaon Koloamatangi — will line up for the green and red in the grand final.
In a video posted to the Rabbitohs’ social media channels, Mailata wished his former side all the best against the Panthers.
“Hey boys, Jordy here, all the way from Philly,” he said.
“Just wanted to wish you guys a massive congratulations for all your accomplishments this year making the grand final.
I'm sure the neighbours in Philly will understand when you wake them up early Sunday morning cheering Glory Glory @jordan_mailata â¤ï¸ðŸ’š#NRLGF#GloryBound#GoRabbitohspic.twitter.com/1hVM0tihiI
— South Sydney Rabbitohs 🰠(@SSFCRABBITOHS) October 2, 2021
“Good luck this Sunday when you guys go out there.
“I’ll be watching. It’s going to be really early here but stoked to still be repping the Bunnies colours here and stoked to be still watching you guys.
“All the best this Sunday and Bunnies everywhere will be singing that glory glory when we win it baby! Let’s go, go Bunnies.”
Mailata was even kitted out in an old South Sydney polo shirt in the video and cheekily asked if Rabbitohs co-owner Russell Crowe could send him some new merchandise that is a better fit on his now bulky 160kg frame.
“Oh yeah, if you can get Rusty to send me some clothes because I’ve put on a couple kilos and you know, this is the life I live now,” he joked.
“Get it on Sunday boys.”
Mailata is currently sidelined with a knee strain and is expected to be out of action in the NFL for two to four weeks.
He missed Philadelphia’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys last week and has also been ruled out for Monday’s clash with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Originally published as Aussie NFL star Jordan Mailata’s message to South Sydney ahead of NRL Grand Final
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