NFL star Jordan Mailata still a winner to Condell Park High

Despite the NFL star’s Super Bowl loss, Jordan Mailata’s alma mater are still proud of their old boy

From the sea of green jerseys to the squeals and applause, anyone could have mistaken the halls of Condell Park High for the State Farm Stadium in Arizona, with fanatic teachers and students backing their old boy Jordan Mailata.

As soon as the southwestern Sydney school learned its former student would be playing the Super Bowl, the planning began to make February 13 a day to remember.

Philadelphia Eagles Zach Pascal, left, and Jordan Mailata after the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Glendale, Arizona, on Monday. Picture: Getty Images

Students and teachers were treated to a uniform-free day – many opting for jerseys or tees printed with Mailata’s face – with most classes blocked out to watch Mailata on a big screen projector in the school’s gym.

The star alumnus’s team, the Philadelphia Eagles, fell short of winning the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, with the final score 35-38, but that didn’t matter to this crowd.

Jordan Mailata in action for the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday. Picture: AFP

Principal Susie Mobayed said a former student in the Super Bowl was a win in itself.

“As far as we’re concerned, he’s won anyway … His successes are our successes,” she said.

Students like Zakariah Cheikho, 16, view the 25-year-old as a legend.

“It’s inspiring, really, to see someone from this school, from a little school in Australia, to go to the NFL, a really big league in America. Anyone can do anything at this point,” Zakariah said.

His old schoolmates remember the star – who graduated in 2014 – as a kind and talented friend.

Jamie Ryan, 26, who played music and shared classes with Mailata, said the star deserved all of his success and that in high school, he was the person he turned to during tough times.

“What you see is really what you get. He’s such a humble kid,” Mr Ryan said.

“Even though he looks big and very intimidating, especially on the field … He’s very kind-hearted and comes from a humble family and looks after his family. He’s just a really good person.”

Condell Park High students cheer on former student Jordan Mailata during the Super Bowl on Monday. Picture: Jane Dempster

While she always knew of his athletic talents, Mailata’s music partner Lusiana Roko’s favourite memory of her friend is performing at their graduation together.

“We still every now and then and chat over Instagram. Before he started his career, I was checking in … I just wish him all the best in whatever the future holds for him and I know he’s got a bright future,” Ms Roko said.

Wearing a signed number 68 jersey on the day was Mailata’s old PE teacher Kieran Frappell, who nicknamed the star ‘Big Mike’ after the character in the 2009 film The Blind Side.

The film follows a football player who overcomes struggles to achieve major success in the big leagues.

“He always sort of laughed and he just had a bit of a cheeky nature to it. He was always having a laugh, and that’s probably what stands out,” he said.

“We’ve been watching some videos last week in our classes, explaining the rules and talking about the game and watching videos of Jordan … There’s a lot of excitement – much higher than I thought.”