Mailata Named Eagles Nominee for 2025 NFL Walter Payton Man of Year Award
If you told me back in 2018 that the massive rugby player from Australia, the one who admittedly had no clue how to put on football pads, would eventually become the soul of the Philadelphia Eagles, I would have told you to lay off the South Philly lagers. Yet, here we are. Jordan Mailata, the man who went from having zero football IQ to being one of the most dominant left tackles in the league, has just added another accolade to his resume. And honestly? It might be more impressive than his pancake blocks.
Mailata has been officially named the Eagles’ nominee for the 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
The Improbable Rise of Mailata
Let’s look at the tape, shall we? When Mailata arrived in Philly as a seventh-round flier, he was a curiosity. He was a giant ball of clay that offensive line guru Jeff Stoutland was tasked with molding. Most projects like that end up on the practice squad for a year before disappearing into obscurity. Instead, Mailata became a staple.
But becoming an All-Pro caliber player is one thing; becoming a pillar of the community is entirely different. The Walter Payton Man of the Year award isn’t given to the guy with the best pass protection win rate. It’s given to the player who represents the best of the NFL off the field. It’s for the guys who actually give a damn. And if you’ve paid attention to Mailata over the last few years, you know this nomination is long overdue.
More Than Just a Bodyguard
The big man isn’t just protecting Jalen Hurts’ blindside; he’s protecting the community. Since landing in the States, Mailata has immersed himself in Philadelphia in a way that feels genuine, not like a PR requirement he’s checking off a list.
We’re talking about a guy who has championed the Eagles Autism Foundation with the same intensity he uses to bury defensive ends. Remember the “Jeff Stoutland University” apparel line? That was Mailata’s brainchild. It wasn’t just a funny bit for the fans; it raised over $200,000 for the foundation. That’s serious cash generated from an inside joke about an offensive line coach.
Head Coach Nick Sirianni put it best when he said Mailata is “constantly trying to help other people.” In a league where egos usually run as large as the contracts, Mailata seems more concerned with whether everyone else is good before he worries about himself. That’s rare.
The Voice of an Angel (and the Receipts to Prove it)
And we have to talk about the singing. I mean, come on. The guy is 6-foot-8, weighs 365 pounds, and sings like he should be headlining a jazz club.
Alongside Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson, Mailata turned what could have been a goofy holiday gimmick into a philanthropic juggernaut. The Christmas albums they’ve released over the last three years haven’t just dominated the Billboard charts (which is still hilarious to write); they’ve raised over $10 million for local charities. Last year’s project, Operation Snowball, aimed to give a gift to every single student in the Philadelphia public school system.
That is absurd impact. Most people volunteer a few hours at a soup kitchen and feel good about themselves. Mailata is out here funding Christmas for an entire city’s school system while moonlighting as a vocalist.
Giving Back to Philly
Upon receiving the nomination, Mailata was his usual humble self, telling Good Morning America that the honor was a “reminder of humility.” He talked about how serving the community is just part of his family’s DNA. He wants to remind the world that your favorite athlete is “a human just like you.”
Well, Jordan, most humans can’t move a 300-pound man against his will, but we get the sentiment.
As the Eagles’ nominee, Mailata gets $40,000 to gift to a charity of his choice. He’s picked the Philly Music Fest, which tracks perfectly for the music-loving lineman. But the stakes get higher from here.
Help Mailata Win the Charity Challenge
Here is where the fans come in. While being the nominee is an honor, winning the whole thing comes with a $250,000 donation to charity from the NFL and Nationwide.
Fans can help Mailata secure the bag for his charity through the Nationwide Charity Challenge. It’s basically a popularity contest, but for a good cause. You can vote on X (formerly Twitter) by posting #WPMOYChallenge along with “Mailata” or his handle @jordan_mailata. Alternatively, you can go to NFL.com/ManOfTheYear to vote directly.
The winner of the fan vote gets an extra $35,000 for their charity. Considering how much this city loves its underdog-turned-superstar left tackle, I like his chances.
So, yeah. The rugby player made it. He’s not just an Eagle; he’s the Man of the Year. Not bad for a guy who didn’t know what a “down” was seven years ago.
