Jordan Mailata was rewarded with a four-year contract extension last Saturday on the eve of the season opener against Atlanta.
He promptly returned the favor by earning the NFL's Way to Play Award for Week 1 of the 2021 season. The NFL honored Mailata for his block on Jalen Reagor's 23-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that put the Eagles ahead 28-6.
The starting left tackle was cited for, according to the NFL, "demonstrating proper run-blocking technique by keeping his head up and out while leading with his arms and blocking his opponent while continuing to drive with his feet."
Mailata will receive a $2,500 equipment grant through USA Football to be awarded to the local youth or high school football program of the player's choice.
A seventh-round pick of the Eagles in 2018 through the NFL's International Pathway Program, Mailata came to the United States from Australia as a professional rugby player with no football experience. Thanks to his work ethic and the outstanding development from Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Jeff Stoutland, Mailata won a starting job in Training Camp and entered 2021 as the opening-day left tackle for the first time in his career.
