source : the age
Among the issues discussed by Canterbury-Bankstown councillors earlier this year, between water safety and shopping trolley fines, was a more unique resolution. Mayor Bilal El-Hayek extended an open invitation to meet American Football star Jordan Mailata, who grew up in Bankstown, and to present him with the keys to the city.
“During the Second World War, Bankstown earned the nickname of ‘Yankstown’ due to the imposing presence of the US Air Force based at our Aerodrome. . . . Now the yanks are getting Bankstown’s version of an imposing presence in the form of NFL giant Jordan Mailata,” El-Hayek addressed the council.
Mayor Bilal El-Hayek wants a mural of Jordan Mailata painted in Bankstown.Credit: Canterbury-Bankstown Council/Getty
Earlier this year, Mailata became the first Australian to play and win the Super Bowl. The 27-year-old was born in Bankstown, went to Condell Park High School, was a choirboy at his local church and played for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs’ Under 18s team.
His mother, Maria, worked as a cleaner at Bankstown Central shopping centre across the road from the council building where El-Hayek would pass a motion to induct her son into the Bankstown Sporting Hall of Fame.
“Councillors, Jordan Mailata is a Bankstown Boy through and through, a global star and shining example to young people in our city. Tonight, I extend an open invitation to meet with him and present him with keys to our city.” El-Hayek said, adding that a grant of $1000 will be given to a young local artist to paint a mural of Mailata in the council area.
Despite having made his first visit to Australia earlier this month, Mailata did not meet El-Hayek. Instead, he spent time at the Australian NFL Academy on the Gold Coast and later visited Palms Pacific Supermarket in Bidwill.
The council have tried to contact Mailata through his agents and family and has started scouting for artists to paint the mural.
Mailata joined the NFL International Players Pathway program in 2018 after his stint in the NRL proved unfruitful because he was considered too big for the sport. He was drafted to play for the Philadelphia Eagles later that year, and he signed a contract extension with the team in 2024 for more than $100 million.
El-Hayek has been cheering Mailata on since before he was elected mayor. In 2021, after Mailata signed a contract extension with the Eagles, El-Hayek posted on Facebook that Canterbury-Bankstown was proud of him.
Attempts to contact Jordan Mailata through agents and family were unsuccessful.
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