Athletes - Troy Polamalu

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	Athletes - Troy Polamalu

Troy Aumua Polamalu (born April 19, 1981 in Garden Grove, California) is an American Football player who currently plays strong safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL. He is of Samoan descent.

Early years

Troy attended Douglas High School in Winston, Oregon, where he was a three-sport letterman in baseball, basketball, and football. He played football for four years as a running back and defensive back. As a senior, he was an All-Far West selection in football, and an All-State centerfielder in baseball; in basketball, he was a two-time all-league player.

After a standout career at the University of Southern California (where he was roommates with current Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer), he was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 16th pick of the first round in the 2003 NFL Draft.

Professional career

Polamalu (#43) is currently in his third season with the Pittsburgh Steelers and is the first team starting strong safety. He is easily recognized when playing due to the large mane of curly hair flowing out of his helmet and past his shoulders. Polamalu is considered to be one of the more cerebral players in the NFL and is becoming the new face of the Steelers' vaunted "Steel Curtain" defense.

In the CBS Playoffs Pre-game Show, Polamalu said the last time he had gotten a haircut was when he was at USC in 2002 when a coach told him he needed one. Polamalu has not received a haircut since.

Polamalu has more than proven himself in the NFL playing for the Steelers. His mix of speed and an almost sixth sense knowledge of where the ball is going makes him a standout player. He seems to be involved in almost every play and often makes tackles and interceptions out of nowhere. Troy is known to make big plays while beating the odds. Troy is also regularly used for pressuring the quarterback during blitzes. In only his 3rd season (2006), he tied the NFL record for most sacks, 3, in a single game by a safety.

He made the Pro Bowl in both 2005 and 2006. He also made the AP NFL All-Pro second team in 2005 season.

Polamalu became part of the ongoing 2005 controversy over the quality of NFL officiating during the divisional playoff game between the Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts. Polamalu intercepted a pass, rolled to the ground, then fumbled the ball while getting up. The play was initially ruled an interception and fumble, but after viewing the instant replay, referee Pete Morelli ruled the play an incomplete pass. His rationale was that Polamalu did not make a "football move" after intercepting the pass but before fumbling the ball, and therefore did not demonstrate possession of the ball. The NFL later released a statement saying that Morelli's interpretation was incorrect, and that the interception should have been upheld.

His first Super Bowl appearance was at Super Bowl XL in 2006, when the Pittsburgh Steelers gained the franchise's fifth Super Bowl win.

Faith

Polamalu is also known for his devout Roman Catholic faith. He seldom gives interviews, but when he does, he often speaks of the role his spirituality plays in his life. Polamalu has said that he tries to separate himself from his profession as much as possible, like not watching football games at home. He says a prayer after each play and also on the sidelines (as evidenced by him being seen down on one knee with his head bowed down).

Trivia

Polamalu's wife Theodora is the sister of former USC teammate and now Miami Dolphins tight end Alex Holmes.

In 2005, Pittsburgh area band Mr. Devious wrote and recorded the novelty song , a parody of the song Mah Na Mah Na. Guitarist Glenn Shirey said that the song was inspired by a Fox Sports announcer's mispronunciation of Polamalu's name.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Troy Polamalu ]

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Athletes - Troy Polamalu

Early years

Professional career

Faith

Trivia

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