Super Bowl 51: Atlanta Falcons guard Blake Muir to represent Australia at big game

Blake Muir, a member of the Atlanta Falcons, will be representing Australia during Sunday's Super Bowl LI against the New England Patriots at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

Though the 25-year-old offensive guard hasn't taken the field in an official NFL game, he collected pay checks from the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers before arriving at Atlanta's practice squad in November. After graduating from Baylor University, Muir joined the Niners' training camp and took part in the preseason but failed to make the regular season roster. Though the Aussie isn't expected to represent the Falcons in the near future, he is grateful for getting the taste of Super Bowl 51 fever.

"I've learned a lot so far. Each team I've been to has been different, and (the Atlanta Falcons are) very, very close. You can tell how much each man cares for the next, and I think it shows on the field. That's probably one of the biggest things I've picked up so far, and I can see how the brotherhood and genuine care for one another really translates into success," Muir told ESPN in an interview.

In recent years, the Australians have swiftly risen up the ranks in America's college football circuit. This year, all three finalists of the Ray Guy Award, presented to the best young punter in college football, were born in Australia. All three came through the ProKick Australia program, which helps young Australians with a background in Aussie Rules football transition their skill sets to the American football circuit.

Super Bowl 51 coverage: Blake Muir awarded teammate of the week by Atlanta Falcons

Unlike his other Australian counterparts, who prefer to transition into punters in American football, Muir is an offensive lineman, a position that processes a lot of information from quarterbacks. According to Chris Morgan, the Falcons' offensive line coach, Muir is a quick learner and has been a significant help during the team's scrimmages leading into Super Bowl 2017. Last month, Muir was honoured as one of the Falcons' teammates of the week.

"Blake (Muir) is doing a good job for us as far as improving every day. It's good to have him in the room. It's cool to see his growth. He does a really good job at breaking it down into small parts and short-term goals. He's always working on those goals, and he understands exactly what they are."

Muir, who grew up in the Sydney suburb of Sutherland, admitted he got his first exposure of American football from movies and the rare game on TV. His journey started as part of the Sutherland Seahawks Gridiron Club in high school. "I want to be the best player I can be and play as long as I can. It is attainable," a confident Muir said while addressing his future in the NFL and the Atlanta Falcons.

Super Bowl LI, America's annual sporting extravaganza, will be witnessed by millions of people across the globe. The game, which begins at 9:30 a.m. (AEST) and 10:30 a.m. (AEDT), can be viewed on Fox Sports with real time coverage. Lady Gaga will headline the halftime festivities. Stay tuned for the latest Super Bowl 51 coverage.