What Is Jordan Mailata’s Religion and Ethnicity? All About Eagles OT’s Faith and Culture

Guess when fate wants you to live your dream, it doesn’t care if you’re catching waves in Australia or catching passes in Philly. That’s the story of the Eagles‘ offensive tackle, Jordan Mailata. The Eagles drafted the Australian as the 233rd overall pick back in the 2018 NFL draft. And now, standing at towering 6’8” and weighing 366 pounds, Mailata is all set to play his second Super Bowl against the Chiefs on Sunday.

And if we talk about his success story, it isn’t just making waves in Philly. In fact, it’s got Aussie rugby fields buzzing as well. Yep, you read that right. The 27-year-old OT was born in Bankstown–a suburb known for its Samoan community, which is located just 19 kilometers southwest of Sydney.

What is Jordan Mailata’s religion?

In his earlier days, Mailata was in Australian rugby. When his highlight reel from a year with the South Sydney Rabbitohs caught the attention of Aden Durday, a coach from the NFL’s international program, he invited him to LA for trials. Born in Australia, Mailata is the son of Maria Mailata, who is a Samoan-New Zealander, and Tupa’i Mailata, who hails from Samoan.

Before Jordan was born, his dad, Tupa’i, who grew up in a farming family in Samoa, moved from Western Samoa to Australia. He, along with his wife, Maria, raised Jordan along with his four siblings in Australia. Being of Samoan descent, the Mailata family embraced their Samoan roots and culture. For instance, Jordan Mailata and his brothers weren’t allowed anywhere near their sister’s room.

Initially, Jordan’s parents had no clue about his dream to play the American football. But when they find out, they backed him at every step, especially has dad, Tupa’i. Now, the whole family watches Jordan to ball out for the Eagles, no matter if they have to wake up 4 or 5 in the morning.

What is the Eagles’ OT’ nationality?

Growing up in a diverse environment, Mailata holds citizenship in Australia and New Zealand. But here’s the kicker: during his appearance on his former teammate, Jason Kelce’s podcast, The New Heights, Mailata declared that despite being from Australia, he’s not an Australian citizen. And guess what?

When the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, heard about it, he took the matter in his hand and said he would “fast track” citizenship for Mailata. Fast forward to now, the NFL is rapidly expanding its global reach internationally and Jordan Mailata wants one of the NFL games to be staged in his home country.

“I would love that. But my father always said ‘show me, don’t tell me’,” Mailata, who is ready to play his second Super Bowl for the Eagles, said. “It would feel amazing to bring the game Down Under for the growth of the sport but also for the opportunity to play in front of my friends and my family. To play at home would be pretty special to me.”

The NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has already confirmed the regular season games in Brazil, Spain, and Germany in 2025 and he is in talks to announce one of the games to be played in Sydney or Melbourne. Imagine if that happens: Jordan Mailata may book half of the stadium for his friends and family. And it would be much more exciting if he plays their as a defending champion. All eyes are of the Super Bowl LIX now.