He held his nerve to help the Philadelphia Eagles win the Super Bowl, when he met US President Donald Trump on stage and during live performances on The Masked Singer.
But Jordan Mailata was overcome with nerves, even lost for words, when he finally got the chance to speak with childhood idol Benji Marshall last week.
Marshall has been credited for Wests Tigers’ amazing start to the NRL season where they are equal top after six rounds, but even he was stunned to learn he had inspired one of Australia’s richest sports stars.
Mailata, who signed a three-year deal with the Eagles worth more than $100 million, attended a function in Brisbane last Wednesday, along with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, as well as several NRL officials, including ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys.
When the conversation turned to which team Mailata loved growing up, he nominated the Tigers – because of his love of Marshall.
V’landys confirmed he told Mailata he would call Marshall for him, only for the NFL star to shake his head and say: “No way, I wouldn’t even know what to say to him. I’m too nervous. I haven’t prepared anything.”
Marshall asked V’landys if he was being pranked when told Mailata was waiting to speak to him.
Mailata then went to a corner of the room where he spoke to Marshall for about 15 minutes.
Marshall later spoke to V’landys about how amazed he was to receive a phone call from the Eagles’ offensive tackle, and how proud he was of Mailata for being a role model to young Polynesians.
The coach also made sure Mailata knew the door was always open at the Wests Tigers’ Concord headquarters.
V’landys was unaware what the pair spoke about, but said: “I was impressed by Jordan. He is so down to earth and a beautiful human being. So is Benji. They’re both great role models for their cultures and show no matter your circumstances you can be top of your field.”
Marshall has done his best to play down his part in the early success in Tiger Town, and reiterated only six rounds have been played.
But Tigers players, young and old, did their best to explain on Tuesday why they loved playing under him.
“I idolised him as a player – I feel like we connect more with him because he was a player, and he understands us more,” Latu Fainu said.
Co-captain Api Koroisau added: “I don’t know if there was a bigger player in the game when he was playing, and when he was at the peak of his powers.
“I’m still in awe of him, seeing him every day, walking around and talking to me about footy. He’s one of those guys who naturally has that [aura].”
Meanwhile, Koroisau welcomed the return of fellow captain Jarome Luai for Saturday’s clash against the Broncos, saying: “He brings more energy and confidence than anyone else – he kicked off that culture we have now, and to have him back is immense.”
As for Jahream Bula and whether he recommits to the Tigers, and public commentary by Phil Gould, the Bulldogs official who went out of his way to praise the fullback during Sunday’s commentary on Channel Nine, Koroisau said: “Jahream is a special talent, a great player and someone we really love having here. I hope he stays.
“I know everyone will have an interest in him. If he wants to be here, he will. We’re praying he stays.
“It doesn’t matter [what Gould said]. Everyone will be interested, regardless if they say it out loud or not.”
