Jordan Mailata’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Nomination Says Everything About His Impact in Philly
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 26: Jordan Mailata #68 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on prior to the game against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on October 26, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Jordan Mailata’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination says everything about his impact in Philadelphia.
The Eagles’ offense has taken its hits over the last month, but his work and dedication off the field have never slipped. Mailata continues to show up for the city in ways that go far beyond football, and this nomination feels like the clearest sign of how much that matters.
Finding positives about the offense has been tough. Everyone in Philly knows that, but Mailata has given the city a reason to feel something real. He was named the Eagles nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, and it fits him in a way that feels obvious once you see the work he puts in.
“It’s quite the honor. I’m honored and humbled to be the nominee for the Philadelphia Eagles,” Mailata said when asked about what this meant to him to be nominated for this prestigious award, which not only exemplifies on-field excellence, but also the work that he does in the community. He’s incredibly active in the community, including with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“It’s a great reminder of where I come from and a chance to do something positive for the community.”
Never has a comment personified a player so much. Mailata has come a long way from playing rugby for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, to 7 years later being an all-pro left tackle, a Super Bowl winner, and now the nominee for the most prestigious award the NFL gives every year.
This nomination is a huge recognition of not only what Mailata does, but also for the work he and his wife, Niki, do for the community. Together, they are very active with the Philadelphia Children’s Alliance and the American Association for Cancer Research — both incredibly important charities, showing their dedication to Jordan’s adopted community. In the case of past WPMOY nominees, they are rarely a success alone, as this is a community award as much as it’s an on-field award; teamwork in the home is a huge component. Former nominees Brandon Graham and his wife Carlyne formed Team Graham together and focused on mental health awareness charities. Jason Kelce and his wife, Kylie, also did an incredible amount of charity work together, including prominent work with the Eagles Autism Foundation and the (Be)Philly Foundation.
“The work in the community is a chance to give back and share the blessings that have been given,” Kylie said.
Mailata and his wife exemplify this spirit, and there is no more deserving recipient of this nomination. By extension, this makes him the Philadelphia Eagles Man of the Year, and this somehow feels right. He is looking to be the first Eagles player since Chris Long to win the award in 2018. While it’s an honor to be nominated and all of the nominees are well deserving, the path that Mailata took to get to this point makes this even more impressive. He’s come a long way from the International Player Pathway Program to knocking on the door of the most prestigious award the NFL gives every year. Philadelphia is proud of you, Jordan Mailata.
Steve Hamilton
Steve may have been born in California, but don’t let that fool you. After dating a local woman and clashing with her and her family over sports for decades, he has an affinity for Philly sports. Balancing love for Philly and Bay Area sports teams may seem impossible, we can all agree that the Cowboys are the true evil.
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