Legend Of The Game
The standard of excellence attached to being a Pittsburgh Steeler is well documented, decades of Pro Bowl players and Hall Of Fame enshrines reads like a who’s who in the History of the NFL. The pressure of playing in the shadows of the former greats and living up to the standard of excellence, looms large in the Steel City. Great athletes come and go on a regular basis, but only a select few leave an indelible mark on the greatest franchise in all of sports. Players like Mean Joe Greene, Franco Harris, Jack Lambert, Lynn Swann to name a few, have become large than life icons and will forever be remembered for their impact in some of the biggest and most important games.
Pittsburgh strong safety Troy Polamalu has made his mark, both as a legendary Steeler, as well as one of the greatest Football Players in the history of the NFL. After retiring on April 10, 2015, Polamalu leaves the game he loved with a resume that will rival any that have worn the black and gold before him. His impact on the City of Pittsburgh and the game of Football, will be remembered for the rest of time. And though we are not in favor of coining the overused phrase “Future Hall Of Famer”, it’s probably a safe bet Troy will at least be nominated in his first year of eligibility. He was a special player, and one who played the game on his own terms. Using his instincts and amazing athleticism, Troy always seem to make the play when it was most needed, and that in a nutshell is what you call a Champion.
Selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers 16th overal in the first round of the 2003 Draft, Polamalu played his college career at the University Of Southern California. The Steelers traded with the Kansas City Chiefs for the 16th pick in order to secure the rights to Polamalu, giving up the 92nd pick and 211th overall. Troy did not start during his rookie year, he played sparing in sub packages and on special teams, but still showed flashed of his greatness while on the field.
Troy leaves the game having made 771 tackles, 12 sacks, 32 interceptions, 3 touchdowns, and 2 Super Bowls Championships. He was also the 2010 Defensive Player Of The Year, not a bad contribution from one of the greatest Steelers ever.
