Led by an impressive defensive line and quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles triumphed in Super Bowl LIX, beating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Philadelphia lost to the Chiefs in the championship game two years prior, but prevented Kansas City from becoming the first team in NFL history to win the Super Bowl in three consecutive seasons.
Super Bowl LIX was more than just a big moment for the Eagles and their fans. It also highlighted the success of the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) program. Created in 2017, the IPP is a global talent scouting initiative to increase the number of players born outside of the United States on NFL rosters. Thirteen players from 12 countries were selected for the Class of 2025 and given the opportunity to train and learn more about football for 10 weeks at IMG Academy in Florida. NFL teams receive one roster exemption to sign or draft IPP participants.
Outside North America, American football is not as globally popular as other American sports like baseball and basketball. However, interest is growing. In addition to English-speaking countries like Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, American football is gaining fans in Italy, Germany, and the Dominican Republic, among other countries. The NFL, for its part, has sought to cultivate international interest by playing games outside the U.S., which it has done for almost a century, and by launching the International Series in 2007. Games in this series have been held in Mexico City; London; Sao Paulo, Brazil; and multiple cities in Germany.
During the 2024 season, 23 international players were on NFL rosters, representing countries such as Austria, Nigeria, Italy, and the Netherlands. Here’s a look at the four international players on the Eagles and Chiefs.
Jordan Mailata (Philadelphia)
Jordan Mailata is arguably the IPP program’s greatest success story. The Australian offensive tackle was part of the inaugural IPP class in 2017 and has played five seasons in the NFL. Born in the Sydney area to Samoan parents, he became the first Aussie to win a Super Bowl, a feat Michael Doyle of Australia’s ABC News compared to golfer Adam Scott winning the Masters Tournament and Cathy Freeman winning gold in the 400-meter race at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. It’s especially impressive considering how little the former rugby player knew about American football before joining the IPP program.
“From him not knowing how to put a helmet on or how to squirt a water bottle, like literally through it [his helmet], it was all over his face, to one of the best tackles in the league and starting in the Super Bowl is an amazing progression,” said Jay Butler, a former strength and conditioning coach at IMG, speaking to Fox Sports.
At 6-foot-8, Mailata has the build of an offensive lineman, but his ability to learn on the fly enticed the Eagles enough to select him in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He has since started 69 games and become one of the league’s best offensive tackles. Mailata was a first-team All-Pro in 2024.
George Karlaftis (Kansas City)
The lone international player on the Chiefs roster, George Karlaftis has been a vital part of the team’s defense since being drafted in 2022. The 6-foot-4 defensive end grew up in Athens, Greece, and was a standout athlete in multiple sports, including basketball and water polo. He was not part of the IPP program, however. Instead, he moved to the U.S. with his family at 13 years old and played college football at Purdue University.
Karlaftis won the Super Bowl in each of his first two seasons in Kansas City and tied for the team lead in sacks (10.5) with veteran Chris Jones in 2023. He had eight sacks and 35 tackles in 16 regular season games in 2024 and four sacks in three playoff games, including one in Super Bowl LIX.
Sydney Brown (Philadelphia)
Eagles safety Sydney Brown also made it to the NFL on his own accord, without the help of the IPP program. Born in Canada, Brown moved to Florida in high school and played football at St. Stephen’s Episcopal before being recruited to the University of Illinois. The Eagles selected him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Brown had 45 tackles, three defended passes, one forced fumble, and an interception return for a touchdown in his rookie season. He had seven tackles and one interception in 11 games in 2024. His twin brother Chase plays running back for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Moro Ojomo (Philadelphia)
Nigerian-born defensive tackle Moro Ojomo had two tackles in Super Bowl LIX. He had 20 tackles in 17 games during the regular season and recorded his first career sack in the Eagles’ playoff win over the Los Angeles Rams. He celebrated on the field with the Nigerian flag after Super Bowl LIX. Ojomo moved to the U.S. with his family at eight years old and joined the University of Texas in 2018. He played five seasons of college football, accumulating 95 tackles and five sacks. Philadelphia selected Ojomo in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft.