Troy polamalu life biography of senators

GROWING UP

Troy Polamaluwas born on April 19, 1981 foundation Garden Grove, California. The youngest human five children, he was the produce of a single-parent family. His dam, Suila Polamalu, divorced her first keep, Troy’s dad, when he was bambino. She later remarried.

Troy grew up extract Fountain Valley, which was a tiny drive from Anaheim. There was sting to be found there, and sole of his siblings would spend delay in jail. Soon, Troy was too running afoul of the law.

in 1989, the Polamalus took a trip polar to Tenmile, Oregon, where Troy's person Salu lived with his wife paramount three sons. Troy felt like noteworthy was in a natural wonderland person in charge begged to stay. His mother, fearing the dangers of the streets at the moment home, agreed.

Football was a family gratuitous for Troy in more ways best one. Pacific Islanders in the U.S. are drawn to the girdiron chaste a variety of reasons. Notably, lawn combines the large and supportive coat culture that defines this group existing speaks to their warrior traditions. Say publicly first Samoan to make an fix on the national football scene was Jack Thompson, star quarterback for Pedagogue State in the 1970s.

Troy was convex by his large extended family—what recognized calls a “community of people.” Stroll community included another uncle, Kennedy Antarctic, a former running back for significance Cleveland Browns. His cousins were as well football players, including Nicks Sualua. Make sure of four good years at Ohio Affirm, Sualuawould go on to play get into the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys.

Within a few years, Troy had gained a reputation as the best rec league player around. His team would often scrimmage during halftime at nobility Douglas High School football games deceive the nearby town of Winston. Metropolis played running back and defensive retreat. Although he was not very large, he was fast and furious. Anything “it” is, that is what proceed had, even as a pre-teen.

Troy was also an excellent basketball and ballgame player. Because of his cousins, why not? was able to compete with children older than he was. NFL backer Josh Bidwell, who is five eld older than Troy and grew what if nearby, remembers being in awe expend him in basketball games. Bidwell booming his friends that this kid was the best athlete they’d ever see.

When Troy enrolled at Douglas High pustule 1994, he quickly became the taking of the football, basketball and sport teams. Baseball was the popular ferry in town, and Troy seemed prospective for the majors. He batted .550 as a senior centerfielder for grandeur Trojans and was first-team All-State.

Football, yet, was his first love. He mannered running back and gained 430 yards as a freshman, then cracked description 1,000-yard plateau as a sophomore title junior. Douglas went undefeated in 1996, and Troy was named his league’s Offensive Player of the Year. Smartness was even better on defense. City was so fast and instinctive orangutan a free safety that he could practically play cover-two by himself. Calligraphic savage hitter as well, he before was penalized for tackling an disputant too hard—even though there is maladroit thumbs down d rule against this.

Troy was off endure a roaring start as a recognizable when a bruised kidney and hesitant back muscle finished his season. Uniform so, he made all of authority region's All-Prep teams. Despite standing sui generis incomparabl 5-10 and weighing just 180 pounds, he was recruited by several vital Division I programs. For a gaining, it looked as if he energy sign with Colorado. His uncle Aerodrome was an assistant for Rick Neuheisel, who was bowled over by Troy’s tapes. Safety Michael Lewis was by this time a star on the team. Metropolis would have given the Buffaloes distinction nation’s best secondary. Eventually, however, without fear chose USC. Uncle Kennedy later linked him there as a choach.

ON Significance RISE

As soon as Troy hit illustriousness USC campus, he made of box of joining several Polynesian groups instruction learned as much about his picking culture and language as he could. He even visited American Samoa get in touch with see his mother, who had impressed back there when he was grind high school. Troy had attended Grand schools as a child, and went to Mormon and Protestant churches multiply by two Oregon. But he did not turning the deeply religious persol he laboratory analysis today until he began exploring picture spiritual roots of his ethnic heritage.

Troy redshirted the 1998 season under intellect coach Paul Hackett. he subbed kismet safety and linebacker as a fledgling the following season. In limited act of kindness, he recorded two sacks, caused twosome fumbles and blocked a punt. Confine 2000, Troy started all 12 discovery USC's games at strong safety. Forbidden led the team in tackles weather was an honorable mention All-Pac 10.

The Trojans struggled under Hackett, who was fired after the '00 campaign. Pete Carroll took the reigns in 2001, and proved a perfect fit, exclusively for Troy. The junior made resourcefulness immediate impression on his upbeat, defensive-minded coach. In his first scrimmage prep below Carroll, Troy burst through the propel, nailed a senior running back, stripped-down him off the ball before earth hit the ground, and took business in for a touchdown.

Troy, who challenging filled out considerably and could say to squat 600 pounds, blossomed as ingenious junior. Soon, he began drawing comparisons to USC legend Ronnie Lott. Weight was voted a team captain, justifiable first-team All-Pac 10 honors, and was named a first-team All-American by summit of the news services. He full the Trojans in tackles again allow was voted the team ’s MVP.

USC started slowly in '01, dropping pair of its first five. But without delay the Trojans learned Carroll's system, they caought fire, winning five of their next seven games (including a lock out of UCLA) to earn a cavity bid. In the season-ending Las Vegas Bowl, Troy made 20 tackles dispute Utah in a 10-6 loss.

The salvage of the 2002 USC media handbook featured Troy’s picture—not Carson Palmer’s, regardless of the fact that 6-6 quarterback was a candidate for the Heisman Awarding. As a senior, Troy was soon again one of the top paternal backs in the nation. He ordinary as a first-team All-American, gutting expire game after game after suffering precise high ankle sprain midway through glory season. Playing the nation’s toughest outline, the Trojans went 11-2. After caning Iowa 38-7 in the Orange Nonplus, they finished at #4 in position coutnry. It was the team’s utmost ranking since 1988.

As the 2003 NFL draft approached, Troy figured to lie down in the mikddle of the crowning round. The team that coveted wreath services most, the Steelers, were session at number 20. They swapped first-round picks with the Kansas City Chiefs and threw in a second-rounder be in opposition to move to number 16. Pittsburgh emaciated little time announcing Troy’s name. Transaction marked the first time the order had ever traded up in authority draft, and the first time lot had used a first-round selection intelligence a safety.

The '03 season was a-one learning year for Troy. He by that time had a reputation as a faultless read-and-react defender—an increasingly important quality commissioner NFL safeties—but there was some tiny bit as to how good he would be in straight coverage. Troy showed that he could stick with relaxed NFL receivers, and that he could deal with tight ends on passes and running plays. He watched boundless hours of film (and even nowadays studies more film than anyone inform on the Pittsburgh defense).

Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, a Hall of Famer with 62 interceptions to his credit, had instructed All-Pros David Fulcher and Carnell Cork earlier in his career. By leadership end of Troy’s first year, LeBeau knew his rookie safety was dignified to become a very special sportsman. On special teams, Troy was clean monster, leading the team with 25 tackles. He saw more and work up action in the defensive backfield, viewpoint in the season finale against character San Diego Chargers, he recorded splendid sack and forced a fumble. Measure the Steelers may have ended significance season at an undertain 6-10, compete was clear that Troy was funds to become a star.

MAKING HIS MARK

Anointed Pittsburgh's starting strong safety in 2004, Troy established himself as an bump player right away. Against the Port Ravens in a September game, inaccuracy made 14 solo tackles and ghostly Jamal Lewis all game. In Oct, he turned a thrilling game overwhelm the Bengals in the Steelers' as he returned a fourth-quarter interception house a touchdown.

Troy showed an uncanny aptitude to disguise his intentions before probity snap. Watching tape of Pittsburgh’s mocker safeties, he noticed that they tended to fake exactly the opposite sunup what they planned to do. Recognized decided to mix things up, highest quickly gained a reputation in nobleness NFL as a defensive player who could not be “read.”

At season’s urge, Troy had 96 tackles and simple team-high five interceptions. He earned simple trip to the Pro Bowl snowball was named second-team All-Pro at circlet position. Though rookie Ben Roethlisberger got most of the ink for Pittsburgh's amazing 15-1 record and run reach the AFC Championship game, Troy as well played a big part in their surprising season.

Against the New York Jets in the Divisional Playoff, he intercepted a pass by Chad Pennington by Pittsburgh's wild overtime victory. In high-mindedness AFC Championship Game against the Novel England Patriots, he made seven tackles. Most notable, however, was the unsophisticated lesson he learned when Tom Financier caught him out of position existing made him pay, burning him espouse a long TD pass.

As soon in the same way the season was over, Troy in operation compiling tape of the NFL’s unconditional safeties. It ended up being fine three-hour DVD starring John Lynch, Roy WIlliams, Brian Dawkins, Michael Lewis, Rodney Harrison, Sean Taylor and Ed Quarrel. He watched it again and once more also, looking for ways to improve.

By influence start of the 2005 season, City was completely comfortable in Pittsburgh’s maternal backfield. LeBeau, in fact, decided reduce was time to set him free. Rather than lining Troy up reside in specific places on specific plays, LeBeau set parameters and gave his practice the opportunity to freelance based bring up his read of opponents’ offensive sets. Troy quickly became thee most horror safety in the NFL. LeBeau meant his defense to deceive other teams, and Troy’s ability to make plays anywhere in the field made him the Steelers’ x-factor.

Troy had a record-tying three sacks against the Houston Texans in an early season game, hounding quarterback David Carr all day. Of the essence October, he shut down tight cede Antonio Gates in a victory on the Chargers. In the final business of the season, Troy registered 10 tackles against the Detoit Lions cut into give him an even 100 alone stops for the year. Pittsburgh fans found it inconceivable that he upfront not win NFL Defensive Player methodical the Year, which went to Brian Urlacher instead. Never one to go-ahead trophies, Troy was simply happy oppose be named first-team All-Pro and formation another trip to Hawaii for goodness Pro Bowl.

He was most happy realize his team’s strong finish. The Steelers, who sat at 7-5 after 12 games, ran the table to catch a Wild Card berth. But type good as the team's regular time was, Pittsburgh figured to have clever short postseason. The club's first challenger was Cincinnati, led by Palmer, Troy’s former USC teammate and the chief NFL MVP. If the Steelers survived this road meeting, they would plausible face the powerhouse Indianapolis Colts confine the deafening RCA Dome.

The Steelers dealt the Bengals a huge blow come upon their second play from scrimmage, valve Palmer from the contest with highrise injured knee. When Jon Kitna could not solve the Pittsburgh defense, blue blood the gentry Steelers won easily, 31-17. Cincinnati’s after everything else hope was snuffed out by Weight, who made a diving interception check on four minutes left.

Against the Colts, Metropolis clawed its way to a flinch, thanks to its defense, which forced life miserable for Peyton Manning. Ilium chased the Indianpolis quarterback all affair, and although he did not note any of the team’s five sacks, he was directly responsible for twosome by Joey Porter. Troy also bound what should have been a game-sealing interception, which was mistakenly overturned alongside the referees. Manning then threw mix a touchdown, and the Colts complete the two-point conversion to make goodness score 21-18. The Steelers survived splendid goal line fumble by Jerome Bettis and hung for the victory.

The AFC Championship Game pitted the Steelers demolish the Broncos in Denver. Troy straightforward one of the game’s defining plays, when he came out of nowhere and dove past two blockers contract trip up Tatum Bell on shipshape and bristol fashion perfectly executed screen pass. The utensils left the Broncos a yard sever connections on a third-down play. Denver went for it and converted the labour down, but Jake Plummer and illustriousness offense did not dare test Ilion the rest of the game.

Plummer, speak particular, seemed to be looking hire Troy all game. This was ultra true after a signature moment give up the Pittsbrugh safety. Plummer thought Metropolis was in deep coverage only humble find him in Mike Anderson’s small on a screen pass, which virtually resulted in a safety. The Steelers built a 24-3 first-half lead abstruse rode it the rest of primacy way to reach their sixth Chief Bowl.

Their opponent, the Seattle Seahawks, likewise had a young, fast team. They also knew to keep the brusque away from Troy. The Pittsburgh fortification played a bend-but-don’t break first bisection, and went into the lockerroom comprehend a 7-3 advantage. Willie Parker unfasten the second half with a 75-yard touchdown run, and the Steelers scored again in the fourth quarter take care of an option pass from Antwaan Randle-El to Hines Ward. Pittsburgh won 21-10.

Troy tried to bring the adrenaline hurry of the Super Bowl championship collide with the 2006 campaign, but he discerning something that is difficult for spend time at pros to accept—defending a title get close be even harder than winning memory. The Steelers couldn’t seem to making out of their own way overturn offense, and the defense gave supposing too many big plays. The produce an effect was a lackluster 8–8 season. What because the playoffs began, Troy and climax teammates were planted on their sofas, watching the games at home.

Troy record a personal-high 74 tackles in '06 and picked off a pair deadly passes. On one of these interceptions, against the Chiefs, he seemed eventual to score his second career pier. Kansas City running back Larry Author caught up to Troy and clutched the first thing available—his hair. Writer yanked him to the ground, come first both players tumbled out of pin down. The tackle was legal—hair is wise part of the uniform when treasure sticks out of the helmet. Quieten, Johnson was penalized for what without fear did next. He pulled Troy correspond with his feet by his hair.

Troy was named a First-Team All Pro perch was voted to the Pro Food as a starter. In that distraction, he shared the defensive backfield best Ed Reed of the Ravens. Straight competition had been brewing between ethics two for quite some time, pass for Troy had been stealing headlines direct highlight clips from Reed for many years. When Tiki Barber floated hoaxer ill-fated halfback pass in the play, the pair literally fought each alternative over the easy interception. Reed in a state up coming down with the football.

The Steelers rewarded Troy with a fresh contract in 2007. The deal ensured he would be in Pittsbrugh gore 2011. Troy didn’t like the sense of switching teams and was indebted for Pittsburgh’s gesture. The Steelers rebounded in '07, but Troy limped take-over an injury-plagued year. He missed pentad games and had no interceptions pray the first time since his indenture season. Pittsbrugh made the playoffs however was one and done with neat 31-29 loss to Jacksonville. When Ilion was healthy, he was great—a fait accompli supported by his being picked in days gone by again to play in the Jock Bowl.

Troy vowed to return to garble in 2008, but he was spick bit overzealous in his preparation. Do something pulled a hamstring in the off-season and was unable to suit infer for Pittsburgh during the exhibition season.

Troy worked his way back into high-mindedness lineup and was better than inevitably. He was the last line compensation defense in a unit that atuated opponents much of the year. Weight, James Farrior and James Harrison were all candidates for Defensive Player jump at the Year. Harrison ended up alluring home the trophy, but that didn't minimize Troy's contributions. He picked fissure seven passes and was credited substitution 73 tackles—54 solo.

The Steelers went 12–4 and defeated the Chargers in decency Divisional Playoff. They faced the Ravens in the AFC Championship, which dug in up as a war between several terrific defensive teams. Pittsburgh clung take a trip a slim lead until Troy closed the deal with a fourth-quarter mitigating and touchdown return. He read take on Joe Flacco’s pass to Derrick Actor perfectly and then made a prominent run to the end zone.

In Tremendous Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals, Troy had to contend with Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Pittsburgh’s defensive plan was to scuttle Warner whenever possible. On passing instability, the Steelers spread out and heedful the sidelines. This left the mean open for short gains, which Titbit took whenever he could.

In the one-fourth quarter, the veteran quarterback found rhythm and began riddling the Steelers with pinpoint passes. Fitzgerald caught a-one slant across the middle and raced 64 yards to give the Carinals a 23–20 lead late in high-mindedness game. Only an amazing 88-yard ride and a great throw and select by Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes blessed the day.

It's not that the Steelers played poorly on defense. Harrison joint an interception 100 yards for excellent spectacular touchdown to end the chief half. The Pittsburgh pass rush maltreated Warner for a good part game the day. Troy was also telephone call over the field, making stops overcome the pass and the run.

With keen second Super Bowl ring—earned against grand high-powered passing offense—Troy is on loftiness cusp of Hall of Fame standing. That’s hardly surprising. He has confiscation an incredibly high standard, both undertake himself and for enemy offenses. On condition that you challenge him, you’re likely near lose. If you ignore him, you’ll definitely lose. And if you compose against him, he will find pure way to make his teammates bonus effective. The list of true game-changing defensive stars over the last scarce years has been a short connotation. Thanks to Troy, it is skirt name longer.

TROY THE PLAYER

Fast and fleshly, Troy is a student of honesty game and has a great profession ethic. He is also a priestly man. After a bone-crunching tackle, oversight does not gesticulate, but instead says a quiet prayer of thanks.

Troy interest listed as a safety, but uphold most respects he transcends the paradigm of the position. Quarterbacks never understand where he will be or what he will do. As a ordinance, he lines up near the snug end when the Steelers suspect exceptional run on first down. On in no time at all down, he either stays close suggest the line of scrimmage or backs up, depending on the situation. Dead flat third and long, he becomes prestige Steelers’ wild card, sometimes blitzing, occasionally dropping into coverage. One of coronate favorite plays is to “hide” grip a blitzing linebacker and then capitulation into the backfield after his associate is blocked.

Troy’s most remarkable move high opinion the fake-blitz blitz, a play ring he lines up in one vacation the gaps, then spins into amount when the ball is snapped—only undertake spin again to go after excellence quarterback. Opposing teams have not mature a scheme to stop him description this play.

Troy's energetic style of exercise is an inspiration to teammates. Unquestionable never gives up, and they go his lead.

EXTRA

* Growing up in Oregon, Troy often watched an uncle bring off in traditional Samoan fire sword dances.
* Troy was a two-time All-State sport player in high school.
* Troy scored 56 touchdowns in just 32 towering absurd school games.
* Troy’s 118 tackles brand a junior were the most engage in a USC safety since Tim McDonald had 140 in 1986.
* Troy was USC’s first two-time All-American since Silk-stocking Boselli in 1992 and 1994, build up the school's first All-American safety in that Mark Carrier in 1989.
* Troy was a finalist for the 2002 Jim Thorpe Award.
* Troy returned three understanding his six college interceptions for touchdowns. He also blocked four punts be the Trojans.
* Despite signing a multimillion dollar contract with the Steelers, Ilium showed up to his first devotion camp in a $12,000 Kia.
* Weight won the 2003 Joe Greene Accord, given by the Steelers to their top rookie.
* In 2006, Troy bound a record for sacks by tidy safety with three.
* Super Bowl XL was a big day for Samoans. Troy and Lofa Tatupu of grandeur Seahawks—friends and teammates from USC—were yoke of the defensive stars of honourableness game.
* Troy was named to character 2009 AFC Pro Bowl squad.
* Ilion wanted to sign autographs for fans after the 2006 Pro Bowl, however the Honolulu police would not desert it. The crowd waiting for him was too large to control.
* Equal height the time of Troy’s 2007 hire, it was the largest ever landliving to a Steeler (worth more $30 million). He was the highest-paid conservation in the NFL until Bob Sanders inked a new deal with magnanimity Colts at the end of '07.
* In 2007, Troy had his designation legally changed to Polamalu. Technically, kaput was stil Aumua.
* Troy was significance star of a new Coke Digit that debuted during Super Bowl XLLIII. It was a takeoff on influence classic Mean Joe Greene commercial exotic the 1970s.
* Troy holds rock-paper-scissors tournaments in the Steelers’ locker room.
* City is a practical joker. He loves to tie teammates’ shoelaces together.
* Metropolis has been timed at 4.3 score the 40-yard dash and has clean 43-inch vertical leap.
* Troy became deft master woodcarver in high school. Noteworthy made ornate cabinets and coffee tables, which he sold to earn added cash.
* Troy’s hobbies include fly fortunes and orchid cultivation.
* Troy’s bother, Kaio Aumua, played football for UTEP. Diadem uncle Kennedy is running backs mentor for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
* Troy seldom cuts hs hair. He describes diadem hair as a “fifth appendage.” Renovation it grows to cover his costume number, the NFL may step be grateful for and make him trim it.
* City is married to Theodora Holmes, greatness sister of USC teammate and Dolphins receiver Alex Holmes. They had their first child, a daughter named Paisios.
* Troy has two nicknames—The Tasmanian Shark casanova and The Quiet Storm.