EXCLUSIVE: NFL great Rob Gronkowski's enormous praise for 'amazing' Aussie star Jordan Mailata
NFL legend Rob Gronkowski is adamant more Australians will join the sport in the wake of Jordan Mailata's history-making success with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Earlier this month, the 27-year-old Bankstown product became the first Aussie to play in a winning Super Bowl team as the Eagles trounced reigning champs Kansas City.
Mailata has established himself as one of the NFL's best offensive linesmen, despite having no experience in American football when he moved overseas in 2018.
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Speaking to Wide World of Sports as part of Sportsbet's Blue Diamond Stakes Day over the weekend, Gronkowski heaped praise on Mailata for his undeniable rise to the top.
Rob Gronkowski is a huge fan of Aussie star Jordan Mailata. Getty/Sportsbet
"Jordan has done an excellent job of representing Australia and he's responsible for expanding the game here," the New England Patriots legend told Wide World of Sports.
"All his hard work and dedication that he put into his sport paid off, because he had no experience with American football when he got drafted.
"He developed as a player because they saw potential in what he could do on the field when he was playing rugby and that's really amazing by whatever scout found him.
"Now he's a world champion and has a Super Bowl ring, which is just magnificent."
Mailata was a focal point of Philly's championship, blocking for the likes of Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley to wreak havoc throughout the 2024/25 season.
Jordan Mailata (right) and Jalen Hurts during the Super Bowl win. AP
But his impact will be felt across the globe, with young Australian and Pacific Islander athletes now having a clear "blueprint" to make it to the NFL.
"I think Jordan has set the standard now," Gronkowski said.
"He is an inspiration to the young bucks who are playing in the NRL or AFL and I believe there will be a lot more Australians who get opportunities now because of Jordan.
"It's amazing what he has done for the younger guys, to give them this inspiration and blueprint to want to go to American football and be part of it.
"Jordan has done an excellent job and he is truly one of one right now, because of what he has done in the sport."
Mailata's historic feat comes as his home country prepares to host the NFL for the first time ever in 2026, with the Los Angeles Rams confirmed to play in Melbourne.
Gronkowski believes the continued expansion of the sport he dominated into fresh international markets can only be seen as a positive.
Rob Gronkowski during an appearance at Caulfield. Sportsbet
"It's huge, the NFL has done such a great job of expanding the game and going international," the four-time Super Bowl winner said.
"We've been in Europe and Brazil and now we are coming to Australia, which is amazing.
"That's what kind of makes this trip to Australia a little bit more special too, because Sportsbet has me here not only for the horse racing, but also to bring awareness that the NFL is coming down to Australia soon.
"Hopefully by the time it comes, Sportsbet can bring me back out here again and we can team up and I get to be part of that expansion."
