Troy Polamalu

Troy Polamalu is a former American football player of Samoan descent who played his entire twelve-year career for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL. He played college football for the University of Southern California, earning consensus All-American honors and finishing his college career with 278 tackles, 29 tackles for a loss, six interceptions, four blocked punts, and three touchdowns. He was chosen by the Steelers in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He was a member of two of the Steelers' Super Bowl championship teams, and was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2010.

The Steelers used Polamalu in a high percentage of defensive plays and in a wide variety of defensive roles. In only his third season (2005), he tied the NFL record for most sacks, three, in a single game by a safety. The 2007 Pro Bowl was his third consecutive Pro Bowl appearance; he started at strong safety for the AFC, playing next to the Baltimore Ravens starting free safety Ed Reed. Polamalu made the AP NFL All-Pro Second Team in 2005, and was named to the First Team in 2006. He was also named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Team for the 2000s.

Polamalu’s first Super Bowl appearance was in Super Bowl XL in 2006, when the Pittsburgh Steelers gained the franchise’s fifth Super Bowl with a 21–10 win over the Seattle Seahawks. He was also a key player in the Steelers' Super Bowl XLIII victory.

Despite injury struggles in the late 2000s, Polamalu consistently demonstrated his skill and value on the field. He was named to the 2009 Pro Bowl as the AFC’s strong safety after being given a unanimous vote by five experts. Polamalu’s 4th quarter interception return for a touchdown in the 2009 AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Ravens helped the Steelers clinch a victory en route to another Super Bowl appearance.

In 2011, Polamalu was named the AP Defensive Player of the Year and the NFL Alumni Player of the Year award. In Super Bowl XLV Polamalu had 3 tackles, but the Steelers lost to the Green Bay Packers, 31–25. After multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections, Polamalu retired in 2015 and finished his career with 770 tackles, 32 interceptions and three touchdowns. His accomplishments and impact on the game led to his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.

Since his retirement, Polamalu has transitioned into a leadership role within the world of football, currently serving as the Head of Player Relations for the Alliance of American Football. He is also an investor in Arenda Capital and has made public appearances, including helping announce the first combine for the Alliance of American Football in 2018. Polamalu has been involved in various endorsements, including Head & Shoulders and Suave, and has even lent his voice to the 2016 film Moana.