Jordan Mailata could have created history as the first Australian to play and win a NFL super bowl, and has announced the shameless form that he celebrated almost immediately after.
Mailata completed his fairy tale trip to be rejected by the NRL for being too big for the super bowl champion in the Philadelphia Eagles Domantic Victoria over the Kansas City bosses at the Super Bowl 2025.
Despite being known for his great personality and voice in the field, the imposing offensive Tackle was close to speech after his achievement.
'Usually, I have the right words to say, but I don't know what to say right now. He's surreal, '' he told Channel Nine.
When he was told about the fact that he was the only Australian who achieved the feat, he said: 'That I like. That's great.
But when asked if he would follow the steps of other famous Australian sports stars and make a shoey for his fans, Mailata was blunt in response.
Jordan Mailata raises an Australian flag after becoming the first Australian to play and win a NFL super bowl
Mailata said he intended to celebrate with his wife Niki Ikahihifo-Bender Mailata after the victory
'At all. Not in these shoes, '' he said while shook his head.
The interview was reduced, with mailata saying that he had an important business to attend to his wife Niki Ikahihifo-Bender Mailata.
“I am at a schedule that you know, I have to take a shower, you know … I take my wife,” Mailata said as I laughed.
The Shoey has become a legendary Australian sports celebration, and few athletes hugged her as enthusiastically as Daniel Ricciardo.
The former F1 star made him an international show, doing it on the podium after the race wins and even convincing other drivers, such as Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, to join.
In MotoGP, the Australian rider Jack Miller has also participated in the Shoey ritual, often to delight fans. Tai Tuivasa, the UFC heavyweight known as 'Bam Bam', has made its characteristic movement after fights.
The supercars driver, David Reynolds, has kept the tradition in the Supercars V8 circuit and even in the world of tennis, it is known that Nick Kyrgios encourages Shoeys in exhibitions and events.
While Mailata will not join them in Shoey's honor role, he has earned a legion of new fans both at home and in the United States.
The former F1 star, Daniel Ricciardo, made the Shoey famous in Australia she was often cordoned in other drivers to participate also to participate
Tai Tuivasa from Australia celebrates with fans making a shoey after defeating Derrick Lewis in 2022
American commentators have praised mailata and hope it influences more Australian young people to take the sport
Commentator Chris Fowler described the Australian as dominant.
'Jason Kelce has talked about how (the role of offensive Tackle) is misunderstood. It is hard. 'You see a big guy, no problem simply run over someone, it's simple.' No, 'he said.
The fellow commentator Dan Orlovsky added: 'He was saying that Jordan is such a phenomenal athlete, but often the offensive liner is doing the most athletic things. The feet and the way you have to move your body.
Orlovsky then spoke brilliantly about the impact Mailata would have on young Footy fans in Australia who can now want to follow their steps.
“Think of all children in Australia,” he said.
'Now, it is possible that the capacity given by God is not told to have six (foot), nine (inches), 350 pounds (150 kg) and move like this.
“But for a guy to go from that area, they see here and have the career he has, he gives hope to a child who may say:” I want to be the next Jordan Mailata. “
'That is part of the reason he took some time. He is such a talented athlete that some of the nuances and the technique of the offensive line had to learn.
“For a boy to come from that area, come here and have the career he has, he gives hope to a child who may say:” I want to be the next Jordan Mailata. “