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Eagles LT Jordan Mailata helping pave way for international players -- especially in the AFC South

HOUSTON – Jordan Mailata didn't grow up playing football.

So one may wonder how the Australian has been an inspiration for others around the world to make it to the NFL.

Mailata was a rugby player who was noticed by the the NFL International Pathway Player Program, and he was able to take the opportunity and cash in -- thus becoming the poster child for the program after the Philadelphia Eagles left tackle signed a four-year, $64 million contract extension worth up to $80 million, which included $40.85 million guaranteed in 2021.