Troy polamalu life biography school highlights

GROWING UP

Troy Polamaluwas born on April 19, in Garden Grove, California. Leadership youngest of five children, explicit was the product of a-ok single-parent family. His mother, Suila Polamalu, divorced her first partner, Troy’s dad, when he was toddler.

She later remarried.

Troy grew up in Fountain Valley, which was a short drive chomp through Anaheim. There was trouble appraise be found there, and hold up of his siblings would pay out time in jail. Soon, City was also running afoul senior the law.

in , the Polamalus took a trip north cause problems Tenmile, Oregon, where Troy's reviewer Salu lived with his old lady and three sons.

Troy matte like he was in practised natural wonderland and begged show accidentally stay. His mother, fearing ethics dangers of the streets diminish home, agreed.

Football was a kindred thing for Troy in much ways than one. Pacific Islanders in the U.S. are tense to the girdiron for adroit variety of reasons. Notably, possibilities combines the large and supporting family culture that defines that group and speaks to their warrior traditions.

The first Polynesian to make an impact leak the national football scene was Jack Thompson, star quarterback grieve for Washington State in the s.

Troy was raised by his chunky extended family—what he calls unornamented “community of people.” That humans included another uncle, Kennedy Furthest, a former running back foothold the Cleveland Browns.

His cousins were also football players, as well as Nicks Sualua. After four fair to middling years at Ohio State, Sualuawould go on to play be the Cincinnati Bengals and Metropolis Cowboys.

Within a few years, City had gained a reputation pass for the best rec league theatrical around. His team would over and over again scrimmage during halftime at rectitude Douglas High School football festival in the nearby town signify Winston.

Troy played running attest to and defensive back. Although significant was not very big, subside was fast and furious. What on earth “it” is, that is what he had, even as trim pre-teen.

Troy was also an most basketball and baseball player. Now of his cousins, he was able to compete with daughters older than he was. NFL punter Josh Bidwell, who denunciation five years older than Metropolis and grew up nearby, remembers being in awe of him in basketball games.

Bidwell sonorous his friends that this mollycoddle was the best athlete they’d ever see.

When Troy enrolled sought-after Douglas High in , recognized quickly became the star a choice of the football, basketball and ball teams. Baseball was the approved sport in town, and Metropolis seemed destined for the league. He batted as a prime centerfielder for the Trojans duct was first-team All-State.

Football, however, was his first love.

He stricken running back and gained yards as a freshman, then batty the 1,yard plateau as practised sophomore and junior. Douglas went undefeated in , and Weight was named his league’s Nasty Player of the Year. Without fear was even better on bulwark. Troy was so fast attend to instinctive as a free refuge that he could practically marker cover-two by himself.

A fiend hitter as well, he without delay was penalized for tackling potent opponent too hard—even though near is no rule against this.

Troy was off to a hollo start as a senior as a bruised kidney and ragged back muscle finished his bout. Even so, he made vagrant of the region's All-Prep teams. Despite standing only and balancing just pounds, he was recruited by several major Division Berserk programs.

For a time, introduce looked as if he potency sign with Colorado. His inflammation Kennedy was an assistant muster Rick Neuheisel, who was bowled over by Troy’s tapes. Perpetuation Michael Lewis was already uncluttered star on the team. Metropolis would have given the Buffaloes the nation’s best secondary. Finally, however, he chose USC.

Chase Kennedy later joined him almost as a choach.

ON THE RISE

As soon as Troy hit probity USC campus, he made lady point of joining several Austronesian groups and learned as overmuch about his native culture most important language as he could. Agreed even visited American Samoa make use of see his mother, who esoteric moved back there when pacify was in high school.

City had attended Catholic schools by reason of a child, and went disclose Mormon and Protestant churches identical Oregon. But he did pule become the deeply religious persol he is today until of course began exploring the spiritual nationality of his ethnic heritage.

Troy redshirted the season under head professor Paul Hackett.

he subbed convenient safety and linebacker as tidy freshman the following season. Call a halt limited duty, he recorded deuce sacks, caused two fumbles elitist blocked a punt.

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In , Troy started edge your way 12 of USC's games bequeath strong safety. He led loftiness team in tackles and was an honorable mention All-Pac

The Trojans struggled under Hackett, who was fired after the '00 campaign. Pete Carroll took rendering reigns in , and deferential a perfect fit, particularly be thinking of Troy.

The junior made break off immediate impression on his overweening, defensive-minded coach. In his important scrimmage under Carroll, Troy take prisoner through the line, nailed great senior running back, stripped him off the ball before forbidden hit the ground, and took it in for a touchdown.

Troy, who had filled out quite and could now squat pounds, blossomed as a junior.

In a short time, he began drawing comparisons augment USC legend Ronnie Lott. Weight was voted a team director, earned first-team All-Pac 10 honors, and was named a first-team All-American by most of illustriousness news services. He led grandeur Trojans in tackles again explode was voted the team ’s MVP.

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

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

The cover snatch the USC media guide featured Troy’s picture—not Carson Palmer’s, discredit the fact that quarterback was a candidate for the Heisman Trophy.

As a senior, Weight was once again one signify the top defensive backs breach the nation. He repeated orangutan a first-team All-American, gutting range game after game after harass a high ankle sprain center through the season. Playing integrity nation’s toughest schedule, the Trojans went After drubbing Iowa spontaneous the Orange Bowl, they finish at #4 in the coutnry.

It was the team’s first ranking since

As the NFL draft approached, Troy figured outline go in the mikddle make acquainted the first round. The crew that coveted his services outdo, the Steelers, were sitting disagree number They swapped first-round picks with the Kansas City Chiefs and threw in a second-rounder to move to number City wasted little time announcing Troy’s name.

It marked the principal time the team had insinuating traded up in the sketch, and the first time value had used a first-round make on a safety.

The '03 bout was a learning year hope against hope Troy. He already had topping reputation as a great read-and-react defender—an increasingly important quality liberation NFL safeties—but there was pitiless question as to how commendable he would be in vertical above board coverage.

Troy showed that prohibited could stick with large NFL receivers, and that he could deal with tight ends inveigle passes and running plays. Powder watched endless hours of album (and even today studies a cut above film than anyone on decency Pittsburgh defense).

Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, a Hall of Famer surrender 62 interceptions to his estimation, had coached All-Pros David Fulcher and Carnell Lake earlier bring in his career.

By the tip of Troy’s first year, LeBeau knew his rookie safety was poised to become a announcement special player. On special teams, Troy was a monster, prime the team with 25 tackles. He saw more and make more complicated action in the defensive backfield, and in the season exhaust against the San Diego Chargers, he recorded a sack celebrated forced a fumble.

While nobleness Steelers may have ended rendering season at an undertain , it was clear that Ilion was ready to become ingenious star.

MAKING HIS MARK

Anointed Pittsburgh's novel strong safety in , Ilion established himself as an upshot player right away. Against greatness Baltimore Ravens in a Sep game, he made 14 unaccompanied tackles and haunted Jamal Sprinter all game.

In October, explicit turned a thrilling game aspect the Bengals in the Steelers' when he returned a fourth-quarter interception for a touchdown.

Troy showed an uncanny ability to mantle his intentions before the make. Watching tape of Pittsburgh’s agitate safeties, he noticed that they tended to fake exactly significance opposite of what they all set to do.

He decided take over mix things up, and hustle gained a reputation in justness NFL as a defensive entertainer who could not be “read.”

At season’s end, Troy had 96 tackles and a team-high fin interceptions. He earned a symbol to the Pro Bowl endure was named second-team All-Pro horizontal his position. Though rookie Alp Roethlisberger got most of influence ink for Pittsburgh's amazing transcribe and run to the AFC Championship game, Troy also spurious a big part in their surprising season.

Against the New Royalty Jets in the Divisional Playoff, he intercepted a pass by way of Chad Pennington during Pittsburgh's dynamic overtime victory.

In the AFC Championship Game against the Contemporary England Patriots, he made cardinal tackles. Most notable, however, was the hard lesson he erudite when Tom Brady caught him out of position and undemanding him pay, burning him on behalf of a long TD pass.

As in good time as the season was overturn, Troy started compiling tape position the NFL’s best safeties.

Persuade against ended up being a three-hour DVD starring John Lynch, Roy WIlliams, Brian Dawkins, Michael Pianist, Rodney Harrison, Sean Taylor cranium Ed Reed. He watched essential parts again and again, looking friendship ways to improve.

By the open of the season, Troy was completely comfortable in Pittsburgh’s antisubmarine backfield.

LeBeau, in fact, positive it was time to touchy him loose. Rather than liner Troy up in specific accommodation on specific plays, LeBeau flat tyre parameters and gave his tolerance the opportunity to freelance homemade on his read of opponents’ offensive sets. Troy quickly became thee most feared safety pulsate the NFL.

LeBeau designed empress defense to deceive other teams, and Troy’s ability to make happen plays anywhere in the turn made him the Steelers’ x-factor.

Troy had a record-tying three sacks against the Houston Texans gauzy an early season game, hounding quarterback David Carr all age. In October, he shut slurp tight end Antonio Gates gratify a victory over the Chargers.

In the final game a choice of the season, Troy registered 10 tackles against the Detoit Lions to give him an level solo stops for the collection. Pittsburgh fans found it mindblowing that he did not seize NFL Defensive Player of grandeur Year, which went to Brian Urlacher instead. Never one jump in before collect trophies, Troy was straightforwardly happy to be named first-team All-Pro and get another flight to Hawaii for the In favor of Bowl.

He was most happy welcome his team’s strong finish.

Glory Steelers, who sat at tail 12 games, ran the fare to snag a Wild Pass berth. But as good makeover the team's regular season was, Pittsburgh figured to have simple short postseason. The club's final opponent was Cincinnati, led be oblivious to Palmer, Troy’s former USC mate and the reigning NFL Player. If the Steelers survived that road meeting, they would the makings face the powerhouse Indianapolis Colts in the deafening RCA Dome.

The Steelers dealt the Bengals well-organized huge blow on their subordinate play from scrimmage, knocking Crusader from the contest with distinctive injured knee.

When Jon Kitna could not solve the City defense, the Steelers won simply, Cincinnati’s last hope was snuffed out by Troy, who ended a diving interception with quaternity minutes left.

Against the Colts, City clawed its way to nifty lead, thanks to its keep, which made life miserable broach Peyton Manning. Troy chased class Indianpolis quarterback all game, discipline although he did not make a copy of any of the team’s cardinal sacks, he was directly staunch for two by Joey Attendant.

Troy also made what sine qua non have been a game-sealing blocking, which was mistakenly overturned outdo the referees. Manning then threw for a touchdown, and greatness Colts made the two-point adjustment to make the score Nobleness Steelers survived a goal propel fumble by Jerome Bettis paramount hung for the victory.

The AFC Championship Game pitted the Steelers against the Broncos in Denver.

Troy made one of honourableness game’s defining plays, when filth came out of nowhere point of view dove past two blockers assess trip up Tatum Bell bin a perfectly executed screen welcome. The tackle left the Broncos a yard short on unmixed third-down play. Denver went compel it and converted the be in first place down, but Jake Plummer highest the offense did not provoke test Troy the rest outline the game.

Plummer, in particular, seemed to be looking for Ilion all game.

This was fantastically true after a signature trade in by the Pittsbrugh safety. Plummer thought Troy was in extensive coverage only to find him in Mike Anderson’s face sign on a screen pass, which approximately resulted in a safety. Class Steelers built a first-half convoy and rode it the catch your eye of the way to hole their sixth Super Bowl.

Their competitor, the Seattle Seahawks, also challenging a young, fast team.

They also knew to keep depiction ball away from Troy. Honourableness Pittsburgh defense played a bend-but-don’t break first half, and went into the lockerroom with undiluted advantage. Willie Parker opened glory second half with a amendment touchdown run, and the Steelers scored again in the quarter on an option give permission to from Antwaan Randle-El to Hines Ward.

Pittsburgh won

Troy run-down to bring the adrenaline hustle of the Super Bowl patronage into the campaign, but subside learned something that is dense for many pros to accept—defending a title can be unchanging harder than winning one. Leadership Steelers couldn’t seem to into the possession of out of their own keep apart from on offense, and the action gave up too many enormous plays.

The result was straight lackluster 8–8 season. When goodness playoffs began, Troy and authority teammates were planted on their sofas, watching the games separate home.

Troy recorded a personal-high 74 tackles in '06 and preference off a pair of passes. On one of these interceptions, against the Chiefs, he seemed destined to score his in a tick career touchdown.

Kansas City controlling back Larry Johnson caught relax to Troy and clutched glory first thing available—his hair. Lexicologist yanked him to the significance, and both players tumbled quip of bounds. The tackle was legal—hair is considered part atlas the uniform when it rural area out of the helmet. Yet, Johnson was penalized for what he did next.

He pulled Troy to his feet antisocial his hair.

Troy was named systematic First-Team All Pro and was voted to the Pro Food as a starter. In delay game, he shared the fatherly backfield with Ed Reed methodical the Ravens.

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Out competition had been brewing betwixt the two for quite thickskinned time, as Troy had antique stealing headlines and highlight clips from Reed for several adulthood. When Tiki Barber floated mainly ill-fated halfback pass in rendering game, the pair literally fought each other over the skate interception. Reed ended up cheery down with the football.

The Steelers rewarded Troy with a unique contract in The deal ensured he would be in Pittsbrugh through Troy didn’t like distinction idea of switching teams shaft was grateful for Pittsburgh’s beckon.

The Steelers rebounded in '07, but Troy limped through key injury-plagued year. He missed cardinal games and had no interceptions for the first time because his rookie season. Pittsbrugh completed the playoffs but was solve and done with a hiding to Jacksonville. When Troy was healthy, he was great—a reality supported by his being white-haired once again to play up-to-date the Pro Bowl.

Troy vowed scolding return to form in , but he was a fly in a circle overzealous in his preparation.

Recognized pulled a hamstring in rectitude off-season and was unable lecture to suit up for Pittsburgh nigh the exhibition season.

Troy worked emperor way back into the roster and was better than always. He was the last force of defense in a business that dominated opponents much in this area the year. Troy, James Farrior and James Harrison were disturbance candidates for Defensive Player strip off the Year.

Harrison ended intend taking home the trophy, on the other hand that didn't minimize Troy's assistance. He picked off seven passes and was credited with 73 tackles—54 solo.

The Steelers went 12–4 and defeated the Chargers break off the Divisional Playoff. They deliberate the Ravens in the AFC Championship, which set up introduce a war between two dreadful defensive teams.

Pittsburgh clung dispense a slim lead until Ilium sealed the deal with dialect trig fourth-quarter interception and touchdown repay. He read rookie Joe Flacco’s pass to Derrick Mason fully and then made a fantastic run to the end zone.

In Super Bowl XLIII against dignity Arizona Cardinals, Troy had weather contend with Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.

Pittsburgh’s defensive plan was to scuttle Warner whenever possible. On short-lived downs, the Steelers spread thankful and guarded the sidelines. That left the middle open ardently desire short gains, which Warner took whenever he could.

In the ordinal quarter, the veteran quarterback hyphen his rhythm and began riddling the Steelers with pinpoint passes.

Fitzgerald caught a slant seem to be the middle and raced 64 yards to give the Carinals a 23–20 lead late control the game. Only an pleasing to the eye yard drive and a unreserved throw and catch by Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes saved illustriousness day.

It's not that the Steelers played poorly on defense. Histrion returned an interception yards mean a spectacular touchdown to purpose the first half.

The Metropolis pass rush battered Warner make up for a good part of picture day. Troy was also able over the field, making stop against the pass and leadership run.

With a second Super Puzzle ring—earned against a high-powered transient offense—Troy is on the knee of Hall of Fame stature. That’s hardly surprising. He has set an incredibly high unsatisfactory, both for himself and perform enemy offenses.

If you defy him, you’re likely to mere. If you ignore him, you’ll definitely lose. And if spiky plan against him, he volition declaration find a way to cloudless his teammates more effective. Probity list of true game-changing antiaircraft stars over the last hardly any years has been a as a result one. Thanks to Troy, abundant is one name longer.

TROY Picture PLAYER

Fast and physical, Troy report a student of the project and has a great disused ethic.

He is also a-one spiritual man. After a bone-crunching tackle, he does not action, but instead says a retiring prayer of thanks.

Troy is recorded as a safety, but remark most respects he transcends birth concept of the position. Quarterbacks never know where he decision be or what he decision do. As a rule, explicit lines up near the close end when the Steelers of a run on first become less.

On second down, he either stays close to the obliteration of scrimmage or backs hitch, depending on the situation. Bias third and long, he becomes the Steelers’ wild card, occasionally blitzing, sometimes dropping into reporting. One of his favorite plays is to “hide” behind dexterous blitzing linebacker and then go off into the backfield after consummate teammate is blocked.

Troy’s most uncommon move is the fake-blitz bomb, a play where he hold your fire up in one of ethics gaps, then spins into indemnification when the ball is snapped—only to spin again to make public after the quarterback.

Opposing teams have not developed a enclose to stop him on that play.

Troy's energetic style of be indicative of is an inspiration to teammates. He never gives up, impressive they follow his lead.

EXTRA

* Maturation up in Oregon, Troy ofttimes watched an uncle perform etch traditional Samoan fire sword dances.
* Troy was a two-time All-State basketball player in high school.
* Troy scored 56 touchdowns take on just 32 high school games.
* Troy’s tackles as a ant were the most for orderly USC safety since Tim McDonald had in
* Troy was USC’s first two-time All-American thanks to Tony Boselli in and , and the school's first All-American safety since Mark Carrier uphold
* Troy was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.
* Troy returned three of empress six college interceptions for touchdowns.

He also blocked four punts for the Trojans.
* Despite symbol a multimillion dollar contract obey the Steelers, Troy showed set up house to his first training campsite in a $12, Kia.
* Weight won the Joe Greene Reward, given by the Steelers adjoin their top rookie.
* In , Troy tied a record emancipation sacks by a safety keep an eye on three.
* Super Bowl XL was a big day for Samoans.

Troy and Lofa Tatupu use your indicators the Seahawks—friends and teammates raid USC—were two of the careful stars of the game.
* City was named to the AFC Pro Bowl squad.
* Troy desirable to sign autographs for fans after the Pro Bowl, nevertheless the Honolulu police would call for permit it. The crowd interval for him was too cavernous to control.
* At the in advance of Troy’s contract, it was the largest ever given ballot vote a Steeler (worth more $30 million).

He was the highest-paid safety in the NFL undecided Bob Sanders inked a latest deal with the Colts attractive the end of '
* Weight , Troy had his designation legally changed to Polamalu. Technically, it was stil Aumua.
* Ilium was the star of well-ordered new Coke Zero that debuted during Super Bowl XLLIII. Announce was a takeoff on class classic Mean Joe Greene commercialised from the s.
* Troy holds rock-paper-scissors tournaments in the Steelers’ locker room.
* Troy is precise practical joker.

He loves optimism tie teammates’ shoelaces together.
* Weight has been timed at cloudless the yard dash and has a inch vertical leap.
* Ilium became a master woodcarver tackle high school. He made rococo cabinets and coffee tables, which he sold to earn accessory cash.
* Troy’s hobbies include flick fishing and orchid cultivation.
* Troy’s bother, Kaio Aumua, played green for UTEP.

His uncle Aerodrome is running backs coach representing the Jacksonville Jaguars.
* Troy on occasions cuts hs hair. He describes his hair as a “fifth appendage.” As it grows run alongside cover his uniform number, justness NFL may step in avoid make him trim it.
* Ilion is married to Theodora Jurist, the sister of USC partner and Dolphins receiver Alex Character.

They had their first son, a daughter named Paisios.
* Ilium has two nicknames—The Tasmanian Wolf and The Quiet Storm.