Philadelphia Eagles star Jordan Mailata reveals game day routine ahead of Super Bowl against Chiefs

Aussie NFL star Jordan Mailata is as superstitious as it gets when it comes to game day: just ask his feet.

As the 25-year-old man mountain prepares to line up at left tackle for the Eagles and complete one of football’s greatest fairytales, the ultra-superstitious rugby convert revealed he may need to adjust his game day routine for the biggest match of all.

Mailata – all 203cm, 166kg of him – ensures he walks barefoot on the turf prior to each game, but with the eyes of the world on him at State Farm Stadium in Arizona, the Aussie behemoth said he might have to change it up.

The 203cm, 166kg Jordan Mailata always walks barefoot on the turf to start game day – but the ultra-superstitious left tackle may change his routine for the Super Bowl

‘I have a barefoot routine before every game to kind of ground me,’ the Philadelphia Eagles star said. 

‘(But) I might wear socks this time because there will be about 50,000 cameras out there. I do that (walk barefoot) to ground me.’ 

Mailata has a huge game ahead of him. The Kansas City defensive line, lead by the evergreen Frank Clark and Chris Jones, has been in brilliant and somewhat unheralded form this playoffs, with the MVP-winning play of Patrick Mahomes taking most of the plaudits.

Mailata will have a huge task to contain the strong Chiefs defensive line – but he will do it, as always, with a smile on his face

Clark, Jones and co. will find life tough against the league’s best offensive line however, with dual-threat Jalen Hurts one of the toughest quarterbacks to sack, or even hurry. 

Mailata, protecting Hurts’ blindside and continuing to develop their heartwarming bromance, is a big part of that: and his journey from rugby to the NFL is clearly helped by superstition. 

Jordan Mailata (centre, back to camera) protects the blind side of quarterback Jalen Hurts (right) during the team’s match against the Chicago Bears on December 18

‘I listen to the same song over and over again. Don’t ask me what song it is, because I’m not going to tell you. I’m very superstitious,’ he said. 

‘On game day, I’ve got to eat the same breakfast, sit on the same bus — left-hand side of the bus.’

Despite never playing a competitive snap prior to being drafted at pick 233 in 2018, Mailata has blossomed into an exceptional tackle with outstanding athleticism and increasing nous on the gridiron. 

Mailata, pictured with fiance Niki Ikahihifo-Bender, is preparing to play in the biggest game of his life

After signing a monster $88million contract last season, he is no longer the project player who used to play rugby league, and it’s a journey like no other in the sport. 

And on Super Bowl Sunday that journey will begin with a simple step – but probably in socks, not the bare feet Mailata would probably prefer.