Pacific Players Playing the Super Bowl 2023
This years NFL Super Bowl is between The Philadelphia Eagles and The Kansas City Chiefs. Amongst these two teams are a group of islanders holding it down for their teams in the biggest American Football event of the year.
Here are Pasifika players you'll be able to spot in Super Bowl LVII on Monday 13th 12.30pm NZDT:
* NB These are just the Pacific island players on the actual playing roster who are likely to be in the run on teams on Super Bowl Sunday. We haven't included players in the reserves or training squads
Jordan Mailata
Team: The Philadelphia Eagles
Position: Offensive Tackle
Lafoga Jordan Mailata is a Samoan offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles. He was born and raised in Australia where he previously played rugby league. He joined the NFL via the league's International Player Pathway Program. He was selected in the 7th round, 233rd overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2018 NFL Draft, despite having no prior football experience.
You may also recognise his face from FOX's The Masked Singer. A hit American tv show where Mailata showed off his singing abilities during his offseason.
Catch him in the #68 Eagles jersey on Monday.
Juju Smith Schuster
Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Position: Wide Reciever
John Sherman "JuJu" Smith-Schuster is a Samoan wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs. He played college football at USC, and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Juju is the Fourth-youngest player in NFL history to reach 3,000 career receiving yards and 20 career receiving Touch Downs. He was 23 years, 310 days, when he reached the mark, passing Odell Beckham Jr.
During the Chiefs semi-finals game against The Cincinnati Bengals Juju suffered a knee injury and was pulled out of the game. Fans of both the Chiefs and Juju are hoping a two week recovery is enough for him to be back on the field by the Super Bowl.
(Hopefully) Catch him in the #9 Chiefs jersey on Monday.
Isaac Seumalo
Team: The Philadelphia Eagles
Position: Guard
Isaac Seumalo is a Samoan Guard for the Philadelphia Eagles. He was born Hawaii and grew up in Oregan where he played college football at Oregon State. In his first college season Seumalo became the first true freshman to start at center since fellow Samoan Roger Levasa in 1978. Isaac was selected by Philadelphia in the third round (79th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. He signed a three-year extension during the 2019 offseason.
This will not be Isaacs first Super Bowl. He was a member of the Eagles Super Bowl LII winning team in 2017.
Catch him in the #56 Eagles jersey on Monday.
Marlon Tuipulotu
Team: The Philadelphia Eagles
Position: Defensive Tackle
Marlon Tuipulotu is a Tongan defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at USC. Marlon was selected by Philadelphia in the 6th round (189th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft. At only 23 years old this up and rising player is just at the start of what we hope to be a thriving career.
Tuipulotu is currently on the Eagles 'Reserve/Injured' list but we're hoping to see him making his way on to the field in the #95 Eagles jersey.