The Eagles beat the San Francisco 49ers 31-7 on Monday morning to seal their place at Super Bowl LVII on February 13.
They will take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Arizona for the NFL’s ultimate prize.
Mailata has made more than 40 NFL appearances since joining the Eagles in 2018. The offensive tackle signed an updated four-year, $US64 million contract in 2021.
The Samoan-Australian played for the Bulls from the age of eight to 17, before playing for Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs in their under-18s side and then the South Sydney Rabbitohs’ under-20s.
When this ended, the 200cm (6ft, 8) and 160kg (365lbs) Mailata was only offered a reserve-grade contract due to fitness concerns.
He was given the advice from his agency to “play a sport that appreciates his size” and was successful after trying out for American football despite never having played the game.
Bankstown Bulls President Ali Mehanna says Mailata is an inspiration to all members.
“No matter where you come from, your size, your age or your culture, the sky really is the limit,” he said.
“That’s the spirit that drives our club and we will be all cheering him on madly come game day.”
Mailata, 25, is set to become the third Australian to play in the Super Bowl and complete his journey from fringe NRL player to one of the biggest football games on the planet.
