Jordan Mailata’s transformation remains one of the better stories in modern Philadelphia Eagles history. No. That isn’t totally true. It’s one of the better rises in franchise history.
He arrived as a rugby player who famously knew nothing about American football, including how to properly fasten his chin strap. Years later, he has become something entirely different: an All-Pro-caliber left tackle, a Super Bowl champion, a team captain, and one of the franchise’s most beloved personalities.
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So naturally, when he showed up at the PGA Championship at Aronimink, Eagles fans treated him accordingly. Golf may pride itself on decorum, measured applause, and polite gallery etiquette. Philadelphia, however, tends to operate under slightly different social guidelines. Mailata’s appearance at Aronimink quickly became another reminder that the Eagles fandom does not exactly stay confined to football stadiums.
The towering left tackle found himself soaking in admiration from the local faithful, many of whom treated his appearance less like a celebrity sighting and more like a civic event. Honestly, could anyone blame them? Mailata has become one of Philadelphia’s favorite sons.
Electric Eagles energy was everywhere at Aronimink
Jordan Mailata is charismatic. He is immensely likable. He has embraced the city fully. Most importantly, he has backed all of that up with elite play. That combination travels well, but he was hardly the only Eagles presence at the PGA Championship.
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Chief security officer Dom DiSandro helped set the tone earlier in the event. On the tournament’s final day, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie lent his voice to ESPN’s broadcast opening. Eagles chants floated throughout Aronimink during each day of the event.
At some point, the distinction between major championship golf and an unofficial Eagles gathering became slightly blurry. And honestly? Philadelphia probably would not have wanted it any other way, because when one of the city’s most beloved athletes strolls through town, even one of golf’s premier events can start sounding suspiciously like Lincoln Financial Field.
At this point, Jordan Mailata is no longer simply an Eagle. He is unmistakably one of Philadelphia’s own, the type of beloved figure who can walk onto a golf course and somehow make a major championship feel like a Sunday at the Linc.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Jordan Mailata gets hero’s welcome from Eagles fans at Aronimink