Jordan Mailata might have created history as the first Australian to play in and win an NFL Super Bowl, and he has announced the cheeky way he celebrated almost immediately afterwards.
Mailata completed his fairytale journey from being rejected by the NRL for being too big to Super Bowl champion in the Philadelphia Eagles dominant victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 2025.
Despite being known for his big personality and voice on the field, the towering offensive tackle was close to speechless after their achievement.
‘Usually I have the right words to say, but I don’t know what to say right now. It’s surreal,’ he told Channel Nine.
When told about the fact he was the only Aussie to achieve the feat, he said: ‘That I like. That’s pretty cool.’
But when asked if he would follow in the footsteps of other famous Aussie sports stars and do a shoey for his fans, Mailata was blunt in response.
Jordan Mailata raises an Aussie flag after becoming the first Australian to play in and win an NFL Super Bowl
Mailata said he intended to celebrate with his wife Niki Ikahihifo-Bender Mailata after the win
‘Absolutely not. Not in these shoes,’ he said while shaking his head.
The interview was cut short, with Mailata saying he had important business to attend to with his wife Niki Ikahihifo-Bender Mailata.
‘I’m on a time schedule you know, I’ve got to go shower you know … I’m taking my wife with me,’ Mailata said while laughing.
The shoey has become a legendary Australian sports celebration, and few athletes embraced it as enthusiastically as Daniel Ricciardo.
The former F1 star turned it into an international spectacle, performing it on the podium after race wins and even convincing other drivers – like Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas – to join in.
In MotoGP, Aussie rider Jack Miller has also taken part in the shoey ritual, often to the delight of fans. Tai Tuivasa, the UFC heavyweight known as ‘Bam Bam,’ has made it his signature move after fights.
Supercars driver David Reynolds has kept the tradition alive on the V8 Supercars circuit and even in the world of tennis, Nick Kyrgios has been known to encourage shoeys at exhibitions and events.
While Mailata won’t be joining them on the shoey honour role, he has earned a legion of new admirers both back home and in the United States.
Former F1 star Daniel Ricciardo made the shoey famous in Australia and often roped in other drivers to take part as well
Tai Tuivasa of Australia celebrates with the fans by performing a shoey after defeating Derrick Lewis in 2022
American commentators have praised Mailata and hope he influences more young Aussies to take up the sport
Commentator Chris Fowler described the Aussie as dominant.
‘Jason Kelce has talked about how it [the role of offensive tackle] is misunderstood. It’s tough. ‘You see a big dude, no problem just run someone over, it’s simple’. No,’ he said.
Fellow commentator Dan Orlovsky added: ‘He was saying Jordan is such a phenomenal athlete but so often the offensive lineman is doing the most unathletic stuff. The feet and the way you’ve got to move your body.
Orlovsky later spoke glowingly about the impact Mailata would have on young footy fans in Australia who may now want to follow in his footsteps.
‘Think about all the kids back in Australia,’ he said.
‘Now, you might not be gifted with the God-given ability to be six [foot], nine [inches], 350 pounds [150kg] and move like that.
‘But for a guy to come from that area, come over here and have the career that he has, it does give hope to a young kid that maybe says, ‘I want to be the next Jordan Mailata’.’
‘That’s part of the reason why it did take some time. He’s such a gifted athlete, he had to learn some of the nuances and technique offensive line wise.’
‘For a guy to come from that area, come over here and have the career that he has, it does give hope to a young kid that maybe says, ‘I want to be the next Jordan Mailata’.’
