The astonishing success of Jordan Mailata winning a Super Bowl could see the NFL targeting more Aussie footy players – and Brisbane Broncos behemoth Ben Te Kura is already on their radar.
Bankstown boy Mailata created history as the first Australian to play in and win an NFL Super Bowl by helping the Philadelphia Eagles crush the Kansas City Chiefs.
The enormous offensive tackle grew up dreaming of playing rugby league and caught the eyes of scouts from the Bulldogs NRL side and joined their under-18s program in 2014.
He switched to American Football in 2018 – and last year signed a $105m contract.
Dwane Bugden, who works for the NFL, says Te Kura could follow Mailata to the NFL.
‘I think he (Te Kura) would be perfectly suited to the NFL,’ he told SEN 1170 Mornings.
Jordan Mailata created history as the first Australian to play in and win an NFL Super Bowl
Broncos giant Ben Te Kura has been identified as a top NFL target
‘He’s 6 foot 8 so he’s a bit taller than Jordan (Mailata) but he’s athletic, he’s got that great arm span, fast feet, he’s intelligent and that’s what they look for… a kid like that.
‘The NRL is a fast game and Jordan (Mailata) in the under 20s was a good player but… his size and the speed of that game would’ve made it super hard for him to get up and down and back and forth those 10 metres all game.’
Te Kura, who stands at a huge 205cm, is just 21 and the biggest player in the NRL.
He is contracted with Brisbane for another three seasons and will still be a young man when his contract is up.
Budgen reckons more footy players will be looking to make the move to the NFL now.
Dwane Bugden of the NFL Players ᴀssociation said Te Kura would be perfectly suited to the NFL
‘The NRL could possibly lose a lot of these younger guys because they love the American sports,’ Bugden said.
‘They are big and athletic, and I think the game suits them more than the NRL for some of those kids, and I think that’s what the NFL is here for.
‘I think the game of NRL might lose those guys at an earlier age.’
