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Aussie NFL star’s hilarious reaction to teammate’s rare feat

Aussie NFL star Jordan Mailata had a hilarious reaction when fellow linebacker and teammate Lane Johnson caught a touchdown for the Philadelphia Eagles this week. Pictures: Getty Images/ESPN
Aussie NFL star Jordan Mailata had a hilarious reaction when fellow linebacker and teammate Lane Johnson caught a touchdown for the Philadelphia Eagles this week. Pictures: Getty Images/ESPN

It’s not often an offensive lineman gets the opportunity to score an NFL touchdown.

So it’s no surprise you couldn’t wipe the smile off Lane Johnson’s face when the Philadelphia Eagles right tackle got into the end zone during the Eagles’ 34-10 win over the New York Giants on Monday morning (AEDT).

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A wide-open Johnson caught a five-yard pass from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts early in the fourth quarter, making him the first Philadelphia offensive lineman to catch a touchdown pass since Todd Herremans 11 years prior.

Almost as happy about the rare accomplishment as Johnson was his Australian teammate Jordan Mailata.

Mailata has developed somewhat of a bromance with his fellow offensive lineman with the two often inseparable at practice and on the sideline during games.

Asked about Johnson’s touchdown after the game, Mailata could barely contain his excitement.

“I’m not going to swear… but it was f***ing awesome,” Mailata said.

“It was awesome man, I’m so happy he got a touchdown.

“For Lane, a guy of his calibre, he deserves it.

“Big man touchdowns, everyone loves to see that. But when you actually know the guy and you play with the guy and know how much he gives himself to the team, you love that for him.”

Mailata said his only regret about the situation was the lack of choreography for Johnsons’ post-touchdown celebration.

“We should have spent more time figuring out a celebration. I don’t know, it was half ballroom dancing, half making it up on the spot, half Lincoln Field leap,” Mailata said.

“It was a mess.”

Mailata was asked by reporters if Eagles fans could expect to see him match Johnson’s feat with a touchdown of his own, but the former South Sydney Rabbitoh was coy with his response.

“That’s a great question,” Mailata said.

“I’m not going to say, but if the people want to see it, the people want to see it.

“I’m just going to do my job as a left tackle, because I’ve still got a lot to work on.”

Mailata said a strong second-half showing, which at one stage saw the Eagles pile on 31 unanswered points, was the key to victory over the Giants.

“Once we came back out in the second half and we found that rhythm again, we just kept it going and it was good fun,” Mailata said.

The win improved the Eagles’ record to 8-7 and keeps them in contention for an NFC Wild Card playoff spot. Meanwhile, the loss was the Giants’ fourth in a row and continued their dismal season which sees them bottom of the NFC East with a 4-11 record.

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