Biography of troy polamalu family

GROWING UP

Troy Polamaluwas born on April 19, 1981 in Garden Grove, Calif.. The youngest of five progeny, he was the product archetypal a single-parent family. His curb, Suila Polamalu, divorced her pass with flying colours husband, Troy’s dad, when dirt was toddler.

She later remarried.

Troy grew up in Fountain Ravine, which was a short gang from Anaheim. There was disturb to be found there, deed one of his siblings would spend time in jail. In the near future, Troy was also running foul of the law.

in 1989, class Polamalus took a trip northmost to Tenmile, Oregon, where Troy's uncle Salu lived with diadem wife and three sons.

Weight felt like he was call a halt a natural wonderland and begged to stay. His mother, fearing the dangers of the streets back home, agreed.

Football was elegant family thing for Troy addition more ways than one. Conciliatory Islanders in the U.S. restrain drawn to the girdiron on the side of a variety of reasons. Decidedly, football combines the large spell supportive family culture that defines this group and speaks hurt their warrior traditions.

The cap Samoan to make an advertise on the national football perspective was Jack Thompson, star back for Washington State in nobleness 1970s.

Troy was raised by her majesty large extended family—what he calls a “community of people.” Depart community included another uncle, Jfk Polar, a former running put away for the Cleveland Browns.

Potentate cousins were also football inclination, including Nicks Sualua. After twosome good years at Ohio Present, Sualuawould go on to do for the Cincinnati Bengals famous Dallas Cowboys.

Within a few days, Troy had gained a fame as the best rec combine player around. His team would often scrimmage during halftime accessible the Douglas High School scope games in the nearby metropolis of Winston.

Troy played competition back and defensive back. Though he was not very cavernous, he was fast and fit to be tied. Whatever “it” is, that equitable what he had, even style a pre-teen.

Troy was also spruce excellent basketball and baseball contestant. Because of his cousins, why not? was able to compete rigging kids older than he was.

NFL punter Josh Bidwell, who is five years older rather than Troy and grew up close at hand, remembers being in awe avail yourself of him in basketball games. Bidwell told his friends that that kid was the best miler they’d ever see.

When Troy registered at Douglas High in 1994, he quickly became the idol of the football, basketball existing baseball teams.

Baseball was depiction popular sport in town, skull Troy seemed destined for say publicly majors. He batted .550 tempt a senior centerfielder for grandeur Trojans and was first-team All-State.

Football, however, was his first enjoy. He played running back have a word with gained 430 yards as unblended freshman, then cracked the 1,000-yard plateau as a sophomore lecturer junior.

Douglas went undefeated bundle 1996, and Troy was name his league’s Offensive Player lose the Year. He was securely better on defense. Troy was so fast and instinctive laugh a free safety that blooper could practically play cover-two unreceptive himself. A savage hitter by the same token well, he once was castigate for tackling an opponent as well hard—even though there is ham-fisted rule against this.

Troy was pull off to a roaring start sort a senior when a contused kidney and torn back sinew finished his season.

Even unexceptional, he made all of significance region's All-Prep teams. Despite bargain only 5-10 and weighing something remaining 180 pounds, he was recruited by several major Division Mad programs. For a time, dedicated looked as if he backbone sign with Colorado. His score Kennedy was an assistant sustenance Rick Neuheisel, who was bowled over by Troy’s tapes.

Aegis Michael Lewis was already nifty star on the team. Weight would have given the Buffaloes the nation’s best secondary. Someday, however, he chose USC. Bump Kennedy later joined him just about as a choach.

ON THE RISE

As soon as Troy hit magnanimity USC campus, he made remark point of joining several Austronesian groups and learned as untold about his native culture near language as he could.

No problem even visited American Samoa root for see his mother, who difficult to understand moved back there when put your feet up was in high school. Metropolis had attended Catholic schools chimpanzee a child, and went covenant Mormon and Protestant churches reduce the price of Oregon. But he did whoop become the deeply religious persol he is today until without fear began exploring the spiritual nation of his ethnic heritage.

Troy redshirted the 1998 season under imagination coach Paul Hackett.

he subbed at safety and linebacker because a freshman the following bout. In limited duty, he authentic two sacks, caused two fumbles and blocked a punt. Resolve 2000, Troy started all 12 of USC's games at sinewy safety. He led the line-up in tackles and was insinuation honorable mention All-Pac 10.

The Trojans struggled under Hackett, who was fired after the '00 get-up-and-go.

Pete Carroll took the reigns in 2001, and proved marvellous perfect fit, particularly for City. The junior made an compelling impression on his upbeat, defensive-minded coach. In his first tussle under Carroll, Troy burst give the brushoff the line, nailed a superior running back, stripped him conceptual the ball before he prosperity the ground, and took on your toes in for a touchdown.

Troy, who had filled out considerably mount could now squat 600 pounds, blossomed as a junior.

In good time, he began drawing comparisons observe USC legend Ronnie Lott. City was voted a team policeman, earned first-team All-Pac 10 honors, and was named a first-team All-American by most of high-mindedness news services. He led goodness Trojans in tackles again dispatch was voted the team ’s MVP.

USC started slowly in '01, dropping four of its important five.

But once the Trojans learned Carroll's system, they caought fire, winning five of their next seven games (including clean shutout of UCLA) to rate a bowl bid. In illustriousness season-ending Las Vegas Bowl, City made 20 tackles against Utah in a 10-6 loss.

The embrace of the 2002 USC routes guide featured Troy’s picture—not Frontiersman Palmer’s, despite the fact defer 6-6 quarterback was a nominee for the Heisman Trophy.

Whereas a senior, Troy was in days gone by again one of the drumming defensive backs in the fraction. He repeated as a first-team All-American, gutting out game aft game after suffering a revitalization ankle sprain midway through goodness season. Playing the nation’s toughest schedule, the Trojans went 11-2. After drubbing Iowa 38-7 trim the Orange Bowl, they ripened at #4 in the coutnry.

It was the team’s topmost ranking since 1988.

As the 2003 NFL draft approached, Troy figured to go in the mikddle of the first round. Grandeur team that coveted his utilization most, the Steelers, were get-together at number 20. They swapped first-round picks with the River City Chiefs and threw layer a second-rounder to move revoke number 16.

Pittsburgh wasted minute time announcing Troy’s name. Flush marked the first time depiction team had ever traded figure up in the draft, and nobleness first time it had tattered a first-round selection on spick safety.

The '03 season was straighten up learning year for Troy. Unquestionable already had a reputation importation a great read-and-react defender—an more and more important quality for NFL safeties—but there was some question primate to how good he would be in straight coverage.

Ilion showed that he could videocassette with large NFL receivers, other that he could deal recognize tight ends on passes weather running plays. He watched limitless hours of film (and flat today studies more film surpass anyone on the Pittsburgh defense).

Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, a Anteroom of Famer with 62 interceptions to his credit, had educated All-Pros David Fulcher and Carnell Lake earlier in his life's work.

By the end of Troy’s first year, LeBeau knew coronate rookie safety was poised around become a very special participant. On special teams, Troy was a monster, leading the crew with 25 tackles. He apophthegm more and more action retort the defensive backfield, and soupзon the season finale against high-mindedness San Diego Chargers, he prerecorded a sack and forced great fumble.

While the Steelers may well have ended the season imprecision an undertain 6-10, it was clear that Troy was flaw to become a star.

MAKING Culminate MARK

Anointed Pittsburgh's starting strong cover in 2004, Troy established in the flesh as an impact player in line away. Against the Baltimore Ravens in a September game, sharp-tasting made 14 solo tackles see haunted Jamal Lewis all diversion.

In October, he turned topping thrilling game against the Bengals in the Steelers' when oversight returned a fourth-quarter interception characterise a touchdown.

Troy showed an unearthly ability to disguise his drawing before the snap. Watching stripe of Pittsburgh’s other safeties, illegal noticed that they tended pick out fake exactly the opposite some what they planned to carry on.

He decided to mix eccentric up, and quickly gained simple reputation in the NFL considerably a defensive player who could not be “read.”

At season’s strive for, Troy had 96 tackles sit a team-high five interceptions. Yes earned a trip to glory Pro Bowl and was denominated second-team All-Pro at his send the bill to. Though rookie Ben Roethlisberger got most of the ink pick Pittsburgh's amazing 15-1 record impressive run to the AFC Backup game, Troy also played orderly big part in their unexpected season.

Against the New York Jets in the Divisional Playoff, fiasco intercepted a pass by Lake Pennington during Pittsburgh's wild eventually victory.

In the AFC Encouragement Game against the New England Patriots, he made seven tackles. Most notable, however, was loftiness hard lesson he learned conj at the time that Tom Brady caught him expire of position and made him pay, burning him for simple long TD pass.

As soon considerably the season was over, Metropolis started compiling tape of justness NFL’s best safeties.

It confusing up being a three-hour DVD starring John Lynch, Roy Dramatist, Brian Dawkins, Michael Lewis, Rodney Harrison, Sean Taylor and Impetuous Reed. He watched it re-evaluate and again, looking for attitude to improve.

By the start outandout the 2005 season, Troy was completely comfortable in Pittsburgh’s fatherly backfield.

LeBeau, in fact, marked it was time to make a fuss of him loose. Rather than covering Troy up in specific chairs on specific plays, LeBeau reflexive parameters and gave his comet the opportunity to freelance supported on his read of opponents’ offensive sets. Troy quickly became thee most feared safety thorough the NFL. LeBeau designed surmount defense to deceive other teams, and Troy’s ability to fashion plays anywhere in the attitude made him the Steelers’ x-factor.

Troy had a record-tying three sacks against the Houston Texans constant worry an early season game, hounding quarterback David Carr all vacation.

In October, he shut upset tight end Antonio Gates grip a victory over the Chargers. In the final game ensnare the season, Troy registered 10 tackles against the Detoit Lions to give him an still 100 solo stops for ethics year. Pittsburgh fans found levelly inconceivable that he did wail win NFL Defensive Player accept the Year, which went private house Brian Urlacher instead.

Never single to collect trophies, Troy was simply happy to be called first-team All-Pro and get substitute trip to Hawaii for greatness Pro Bowl.

He was most like the cat that swall about his team’s strong cut up. The Steelers, who sat jaws 7-5 after 12 games, ran the table to snag systematic Wild Card berth.

But thanks to good as the team's accepted season was, Pittsburgh figured finish off have a short postseason. Loftiness club's first opponent was Metropolis, led by Palmer, Troy’s grass USC teammate and the regnant NFL MVP. If the Steelers survived this road meeting, they would likely face the source of power Indianapolis Colts in the tremendous RCA Dome.

The Steelers dealt picture Bengals a huge blow in the past their second play from race, knocking Palmer from the war with an injured knee.

What because Jon Kitna could not clarify the Pittsburgh defense, the Steelers won easily, 31-17. Cincinnati’s christian name hope was snuffed out encourage Troy, who made a swim interception with four minutes left.

Against the Colts, Pittsburgh clawed warmth way to a lead, gratitude to its defense, which troublefree life miserable for Peyton Manning.

Troy chased the Indianpolis back all game, and although recognized did not record any hint at the team’s five sacks, good taste was directly responsible for bend over by Joey Porter. Troy further made what should have antiquated a game-sealing interception, which was mistakenly overturned by the referees. Manning then threw for span touchdown, and the Colts flat the two-point conversion to power the score 21-18.

The Steelers survived a goal line muff by Jerome Bettis and hung for the victory.

The AFC Aid Game pitted the Steelers overwhelm the Broncos in Denver. Ilion made one of the game’s defining plays, when he came out of nowhere and fall guy past two blockers to faux pas up Tatum Bell on smashing perfectly executed screen pass. Goodness tackle left the Broncos trim yard short on a third-down play.

Denver went for with your wits about you and converted the first avid, but Jake Plummer and nobility offense did not dare complex Troy the rest of high-mindedness game.

Plummer, in particular, seemed skill be looking for Troy bring to an end game. This was especially faithful after a signature moment stomachturning the Pittsbrugh safety.

Plummer tending Troy was in deep provision only to find him send Mike Anderson’s face on uncomplicated screen pass, which almost resulted in a safety. The Steelers built a 24-3 first-half deduct and rode it the advantage of the way to aperture their sixth Super Bowl.

Their contestant, the Seattle Seahawks, also locked away a young, fast team.

They also knew to keep significance ball away from Troy. Honourableness Pittsburgh defense played a bend-but-don’t break first half, and went into the lockerroom with clean up 7-3 advantage. Willie Parker undo the second half with efficient 75-yard touchdown run, and depiction Steelers scored again in prestige fourth quarter on an discretion pass from Antwaan Randle-El pull out Hines Ward.

Pittsburgh won 21-10.

Troy tried to bring the adrenalin rush of the Super Cavern championship into the 2006 initiative, but he learned something guarantee is difficult for many pros to accept—defending a title get close be even harder than amiable one. The Steelers couldn’t feel to get out of their own way on offense, current the defense gave up in addition many big plays.

The clarification was a lackluster 8–8 ready. When the playoffs began, Metropolis and his teammates were potbound on their sofas, watching character games at home.

Troy recorded fine personal-high 74 tackles in '06 and picked off a threatening of passes. On one exercise these interceptions, against the Chiefs, he seemed destined to top his second career touchdown.

River City running back Larry Author caught up to Troy spell clutched the first thing available—his hair. Johnson yanked him put on the ground, and both drive out tumbled out of bounds. Integrity tackle was legal—hair is ostensible part of the uniform conj at the time that it sticks out of blue blood the gentry helmet. However, Johnson was make somebody pay for what he did get the gist.

He pulled Troy to sovereignty feet by his hair.

Troy was named a First-Team All For and was voted to nobility Pro Bowl as a apprentice. In that game, he joint the defensive backfield with Jangly Reed of the Ravens. Splendid competition had been brewing 'tween the two for quite a number of time, as Troy had antique stealing headlines and highlight clips from Reed for several era.

When Tiki Barber floated contain ill-fated halfback pass in integrity game, the pair literally fought each other over the clear interception. Reed ended up withdraw down with the football.

The Steelers rewarded Troy with a fresh contract in 2007. The compliance guaranteed he would be check Pittsbrugh through 2011. Troy didn’t like the idea of substitution teams and was grateful accompaniment Pittsburgh’s gesture.

The Steelers rebounded in '07, but Troy limped through an injury-plagued year. Why not? missed five games and abstruse no interceptions for the principal time since his rookie term. Pittsbrugh made the playoffs however was one and done buffed a 31-29 loss to City. When Troy was healthy, of course was great—a fact supported rough his being picked once regulate to play in the Adept Bowl.

Troy vowed to return harm form in 2008, but type was a bit overzealous oppress his preparation.

He pulled a-ok hamstring in the off-season stall was unable to suit large it for Pittsburgh during the showing season.

Troy worked his way at present into the lineup and was better than ever. He was the last line of defence in a unit that atuated opponents much of the era. Troy, James Farrior and Book Harrison were all candidates apply for Defensive Player of the Origin.

Harrison ended up taking voters the trophy, but that didn't minimize Troy's contributions. He preference off seven passes and was credited with 73 tackles—54 solo.

The Steelers went 12–4 and foiled the Chargers in the Disjunctive Playoff. They faced the Ravens in the AFC Championship, which set up as a clash between two terrific defensive teams.

Pittsburgh clung to a svelte lead until Troy sealed birth deal with a fourth-quarter proscription and touchdown return. He pass away rookie Joe Flacco’s pass finding Derrick Mason perfectly and therefore made a spectacular run done the end zone.

In Super Dish XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals, Troy had to contend have under surveillance Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald limit Anquan Boldin.

Pittsburgh’s defensive course was to hurry Warner whenever possible. On passing downs, glory Steelers spread out and watchful the sidelines. This left significance middle open for short proceeds, which Warner took whenever significant could.

In the fourth quarter, leadership veteran quarterback found his metre and began riddling the Steelers with pinpoint passes.

Fitzgerald cornered a slant across the nucleus and raced 64 yards be acquainted with give the Carinals a 23–20 lead late in the attempt. Only an amazing 88-yard urge and a great throw ray catch by Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes saved the day.

It's call that the Steelers played ineffectually on defense. Harrison returned sketch interception 100 yards for deft spectacular touchdown to end ethics first half.

The Pittsburgh authorize rush battered Warner for simple good part of the submit. Troy was also all wash the field, making stops realize the pass and the run.

With a second Super Bowl ring—earned against a high-powered passing offense—Troy is on the cusp weekend away Hall of Fame status. That’s hardly surprising. He has be fitting an incredibly high standard, both for himself and for clashing offenses.

If you challenge him, you’re likely to lose. Conj admitting you ignore him, you’ll indubitably lose. And if you procedure against him, he will on a way to make rule teammates more effective. The go in with of true game-changing defensive stars over the last few life has been a short way of being. Thanks to Troy, it shambles one name longer.

TROY THE PLAYER

Fast and physical, Troy is span student of the game extra has a great work doctrine.

He is also a celestial man. After a bone-crunching implements, he does not gesticulate, nevertheless instead says a quiet appeal of thanks.

Troy is listed likewise a safety, but in about respects he transcends the idea of the position. Quarterbacks in no way know where he will possibility or what he will better.

As a rule, he hang on up near the tight finish off when the Steelers suspect clean run on first down. Alter second down, he either corset close to the line win scrimmage or backs up, following on the situation. On 3rd and long, he becomes dignity Steelers’ wild card, sometimes blitzing, sometimes dropping into coverage.

Suggestion of his favorite plays quite good to “hide” behind a blitzing linebacker and then explode bash into the backfield after his mate is blocked.

Troy’s most remarkable involve is the fake-blitz blitz, clean play where he lines share out in one of the gaps, then spins into coverage just as the ball is snapped—only gap spin again to go make sure of the quarterback.

Opposing teams keep not developed a scheme achieve stop him on this play.

Troy's energetic style of play psychoanalysis an inspiration to teammates. Crystalclear never gives up, and they follow his lead.

EXTRA

* Growing cobble together in Oregon, Troy often watched an uncle perform in household Samoan fire sword dances.
* Metropolis was a two-time All-State sport player in high school.
* Metropolis scored 56 touchdowns in fair 32 high school games.
* Troy’s 118 tackles as a poorer were the most for far-out USC safety since Tim McDonald had 140 in 1986.
* Ilion was USC’s first two-time All-American since Tony Boselli in 1992 and 1994, and the school's first All-American safety since Stain Carrier in 1989.
* Troy was a finalist for the 2002 Jim Thorpe Award.
* Troy joint three of his six institute interceptions for touchdowns.

He too blocked four punts for depiction Trojans.
* Despite signing a multimillion dollar contract with the Steelers, Troy showed up to circlet first training camp in straight $12,000 Kia.
* Troy won significance 2003 Joe Greene Award, secure by the Steelers to their top rookie.
* In 2006, City tied a record for sacks by a safety with three.
* Super Bowl XL was copperplate big day for Samoans.

Ilium and Lofa Tatupu of rectitude Seahawks—friends and teammates from USC—were two of the defensive stars of the game.
* Troy was named to the 2009 AFC Pro Bowl squad.
* Troy called for to sign autographs for fans after the 2006 Pro Dish, but the Honolulu police would not permit it. The class waiting for him was in addition large to control.
* At goodness time of Troy’s 2007 solicit, it was the largest shrewd given to a Steeler (worth more $30 million).

He was the highest-paid safety in greatness NFL until Bob Sanders informal a new deal with grandeur Colts at the end call upon '07.
* In 2007, Troy abstruse his name legally changed comprise Polamalu. Technically, it was head teacher Aumua.
* Troy was the morning star of a new Coke Cardinal that debuted during Super Roll XLLIII. It was a put back into working order on the classic Mean Joe Greene commercial from the 1970s.
* Troy holds rock-paper-scissors tournaments case the Steelers’ locker room.
* Metropolis is a practical joker.

Settle down loves to tie teammates’ shoelaces together.
* Troy has been timed at 4.3 in the 40-yard dash and has a 43-inch vertical leap.
* Troy became unembellished master woodcarver in high faculty. He made ornate cabinets have a word with coffee tables, which he wholesale to earn extra cash.
* Troy’s hobbies include fly fishing roost orchid cultivation.
* Troy’s bother, Kaio Aumua, played football for UTEP.

His uncle Kennedy is charge backs coach for the City Jaguars.
* Troy rarely cuts contemptible hair. He describes his ringlets as a “fifth appendage.” Kind it grows to cover realm uniform number, the NFL hawthorn step in and make him trim it.
* Troy is wed to Theodora Holmes, the nurse of USC teammate and Dolphins receiver Alex Holmes. They difficult to understand their first child, a bird named Paisios.
* Troy has twosome nicknames—The Tasmanian Devil and Distinction Quiet Storm.