I want to start by telling you a story. Last August I visited the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the first time in my life. I was astounded by all the history and all of the great names that filled corridors of the Hall. When I was walking through one of the rooms, a man was showing people game used gear from recent NFL games, and I wasn’t really paying attention. The man shouted out to me and threw a jersey over to me. It was a game worn Pittsburgh Steelers road jersey that read “POLAMALU” across the back. All I remember thinking was that one day Polamalu would be immortalized in this building with a bust of his own. In a few years that belief should become a reality.
This past season the Pro Football Hall of Fame inducted their class of 2018. This year’s class included names like; Ray Lewis, Brian Dawkins, Brian Urlacher, Terrell Owens, and Randy Moss. One thing that all of these players have in common is that their careers all spanned throughout the 2000s. Those players, especially the defensive guys, defined a decade of NFL football, and changed the game in many ways. In a couple years another player that fits that description will be eligible for the Hall. Former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu should be a first ballot Hall of Fame selection.
Polamalu retired from the league after the 2014-15 season. That means he will be eligible to be nominated in 2020. The Steelers organization has a total of 22 members of the Hall of Fame with 17 of them spending the majority of their careers with the black and gold. The last member of the Steelers to be inducted was former defensive lineman Kevin Greene in 2016.
Polamalu is already recognized as a Hall of Famer by both his alma mater USC in 2018, as well as the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
The Southern California man was drafted by the Steelers in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Polamalu played 12 seasons in the NFL (all with the Steelers) and is a 2-time Super Bowl Champion, playing on the 2005 and 2009 championship teams. He also played in a third Super Bowl with the Steelers in 2011. He was selected to 8 pro bowls and was named an all-pro 4 time throughout his career. His best season was in 2010 when he was awarded the AP Defensive Player of the Year. That year he recorded 63 total tackles with 49 of them being solo tackles. Polamalu also had 1 fumble recovery and forced fumble, as well as 7 interceptions (1 of which he returned for a touchdown).
Troy Polamalu finished his career with a total of; 770 tackles, 12 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, and 32 interceptions. He also found his way into the end zone more often than many defensive players do as he finished his career with 6 touchdowns. Polamalu has plenty of experience in the playoffs as well. Including his 3 Super Bowl appearances, Polamalu played in 15 playoff games in which he had 21 tackles and 3 interceptions. He also took one of those interceptions back for a touchdown.
Polamalu was beloved by not just Steelers fans but all football fans. He will always be remembered for his high football IQ, his outstanding and never before seen plays, and of course his iconic long hair. A consummate professional Polamalu was very soft spoken off the field and was seen as a quiet leader. His play on the field was a far from quiet and reserved as his electrifying and unique style of play captivated fans and tortured offenses throughout the league. He, along with Ed Reed of the Ravens and Brian Dawkins of the Eagles, changed the safety position forever and made it what it is today.
Not many people could make the plays that Polamalu did, and did he ever make his fair share of iconic and signature plays. There are too many to list and talk about them all but there are a few that epitomize everything that Polamalu brought to the game.
Troy Polamalu was a unique, electrifying, once in a lifetime player that handled himself with the utmost class throughout the entirety of his career. According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame website, if inducted, he would be the 13th safety to be inducted into the Hall, joining names such as Brian Dawkins and Ken Houston. Polamalu would also join Rod Woodson as the only two Steelers safeties to put on the coveted yellow jacket.
There’s an argument to be had about most players when it comes to being a first ballot Hall of Famer versus being inducted in the years following the first of eligibility. When it comes to Troy Polamalu there isn’t much, if anything, to argue about. He was a fantastic player both on and off the field. He is a fan favorite that will be immortalized as an all time great with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is a two-time Super Bowl Champion, 8 time Pro-Bowler, 4 time All-Pro, and former Defensive Player of the Year. Troy Polamalu is a Hall of Fame person and player. All that’s left to do is induct him, and hopefully that will become a reality in 2020
Comments