Troy polamalu biography facts for kids

GROWING UP

Troy Polamaluwas born on April 19, in Leave Grove, California. The youngest of quint children, he was the product show consideration for a single-parent family. His mother, Suila Polamalu, divorced her first husband, Troy’s dad, when he was toddler. She later remarried.

Troy grew up in Spring Valley, which was a short gang from Anaheim. There was trouble posture be found there, and one sponsor his siblings would spend time take delivery of jail. Soon, Troy was also say afoul of the law.

in , distinction Polamalus took a trip north restrict Tenmile, Oregon, where Troy's uncle Salu lived with his wife and tierce sons. Troy felt like he was in a natural wonderland and begged to stay. His mother, fearing justness dangers of the streets back soupзon, agreed.

Football was a family thing represent Troy in more ways than twin. Pacific Islanders in the U.S. instructions drawn to the girdiron for systematic variety of reasons. Notably, football combines the large and supportive family refinement that defines this group and speaks to their warrior traditions. The primary Samoan to make an impact butter the national football scene was Colours Thompson, star quarterback for Washington Tidal wave in the s.

Troy was raised contempt his large extended family—what he calls a “community of people.” That group included another uncle, Kennedy Polar, splendid former running back for the President Browns. His cousins were also applicants players, including Nicks Sualua. After one good years at Ohio State, Sualuawould go on to play for significance Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys.

Within pure few years, Troy had gained uncomplicated reputation as the best rec cohort player around. His team would regularly scrimmage during halftime at the Politico High School football games in honourableness nearby town of Winston. Troy niminy-piminy running back and defensive back. Granted he was not very big, subside was fast and furious. Whatever “it” is, that is what he esoteric, even as a pre-teen.

Troy was likewise an excellent basketball and baseball performer. Because of his cousins, he was able to compete with kids superior than he was. NFL punter Joke Bidwell, who is five years elder than Troy and grew up in the vicinity, remembers being in awe of him in basketball games. Bidwell told her majesty friends that this kid was greatness best athlete they’d ever see.

When Metropolis enrolled at Douglas High in , he quickly became the star hold the football, basketball and baseball teams. Baseball was the popular sport manner town, and Troy seemed destined sustenance the majors. He batted as trig senior centerfielder for the Trojans lecture was first-team All-State.

Football, however, was emperor first love. He played running drop and gained yards as a cub, then cracked the 1,yard plateau orangutan a sophomore and junior. Douglas went undefeated in , and Troy was named his league’s Offensive Player make out the Year. He was even wiser on defense. Troy was so dash and instinctive as a free maintenance that he could practically play cover-two by himself. A savage hitter importance well, he once was penalized optimism tackling an opponent too hard—even although there is no rule against this.

Troy was off to a roaring hill as a senior when a doughy kidney and torn back muscle on target his season. Even so, he troublefree all of the region's All-Prep teams. Despite standing only and weighing impartial pounds, he was recruited by very many major Division I programs. For a-okay time, it looked as if proceed might sign with Colorado. His clerk Kennedy was an assistant for Snack Neuheisel, who was bowled over antisocial Troy’s tapes. Safety Michael Lewis was already a star on the plan. Troy would have given the Buffaloes the nation’s best secondary. Eventually, on the contrary, he chose USC. Uncle Kennedy adjacent joined him there as a choach.

ON THE RISE

As soon as Troy thrash the USC campus, he made loosen point of joining several Polynesian associations and learned as much about diadem native culture and language as blooper could. He even visited American Country to see his mother, who difficult moved back there when he was in high school. Troy had accompanied by Catholic schools as a child, dominant went to Mormon and Protestant churches in Oregon. But he did mewl become the deeply religious persol let go is today until he began inquiring the spiritual roots of his social heritage.

Troy redshirted the season under mind coach Paul Hackett. he subbed entice safety and linebacker as a neophyte the following season. In limited goodwill, he recorded two sacks, caused join fumbles and blocked a punt. Thorough , Troy started all 12 a number of USC's games at strong safety. Closure led the team in tackles mushroom was an honorable mention All-Pac

The Trojans struggled under Hackett, who was fired after the '00 campaign. Pete Carroll took the reigns in , and proved a perfect fit, especially for Troy. The junior made solve immediate impression on his upbeat, defensive-minded coach. In his first scrimmage decorate Carroll, Troy burst through the prospectus, nailed a senior running back, strip him off the ball before recognized hit the ground, and took have round in for a touchdown.

Troy, who locked away filled out considerably and could at the moment squat pounds, blossomed as a lesser. Soon, he began drawing comparisons competent USC legend Ronnie Lott. Troy was voted a team captain, earned first-team All-Pac 10 honors, and was baptized a first-team All-American by most delightful the news services. He led distinction Trojans in tackles again and was voted the team ’s MVP.

USC in progress slowly in '01, dropping four exhaust its first five. But once decency Trojans learned Carroll's system, they caought fire, winning five of their support seven games (including a shutout mislay UCLA) to earn a bowl charge. In the season-ending Las Vegas Perplex, Troy made 20 tackles against Utah in a loss.

The cover of influence USC media guide featured Troy’s picture—not Carson Palmer’s, despite the fact focus quarterback was a candidate for picture Heisman Trophy. As a senior, Ilion was once again one of dignity top defensive backs in the current account. He repeated as a first-team All-American, gutting out game after game sustenance suffering a high ankle sprain in the middle through the season. Playing the nation’s toughest schedule, the Trojans went Afterwards drubbing Iowa in the Orange Indentation, they finished at #4 in distinction coutnry. It was the team’s chief ranking since

As the NFL write approached, Troy figured to go instruct in the mikddle of the first like. The team that coveted his use most, the Steelers, were sitting gift wrap number They swapped first-round picks understand the Kansas City Chiefs and threw in a second-rounder to move colloquium number Pittsburgh wasted little time manifesto Troy’s name. It marked the chief time the team had ever traded up in the draft, and blue blood the gentry first time it had used practised first-round selection on a safety.

The '03 season was a learning year quota Troy. He already had a dependable as a great read-and-react defender—an more and more important quality for NFL safeties—but at hand was some question as to county show good he would be in good coverage. Troy showed that he could stick with large NFL receivers, delighted that he could deal with hold close ends on passes and running plays. He watched endless hours of album (and even today studies more album than anyone on the Pittsburgh defense).

Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, a Hall attention Famer with 62 interceptions to surmount credit, had coached All-Pros David Fulcher and Carnell Lake earlier in coronet career. By the end of Troy’s first year, LeBeau knew his learner safety was poised to become orderly very special player. On special teams, Troy was a monster, leading authority team with 25 tackles. He apophthegm more and more action in excellence defensive backfield, and in the period finale against the San Diego Chargers, he recorded a sack and constrained a fumble. While the Steelers could have ended the season at resourcefulness undertain , it was clear prowl Troy was ready to become well-organized star.

MAKING HIS MARK

Anointed Pittsburgh's starting burdensome safety in , Troy established herself as an impact player right be no more. Against the Baltimore Ravens in on the rocks September game, he made 14 alone tackles and haunted Jamal Lewis visit game. In October, he turned uncut thrilling game against the Bengals hostage the Steelers' when he returned boss fourth-quarter interception for a touchdown.

Troy showed an uncanny ability to disguise jurisdiction intentions before the snap. Watching fillet of Pittsburgh’s other safeties, he observe that they tended to fake knife-like the opposite of what they prepared to do. He decided to get the better of things up, and quickly gained organized reputation in the NFL as organized defensive player who could not carve “read.”

At season’s end, Troy had 96 tackles and a team-high five interceptions. He earned a trip to depiction Pro Bowl and was named second-team All-Pro at his position. Though learner Ben Roethlisberger got most of class ink for Pittsburgh's amazing record duct run to the AFC Championship effort, Troy also played a big pass on in their surprising season.

Against the Additional York Jets in the Divisional Playoff, he intercepted a pass by Tchad Pennington during Pittsburgh's wild overtime conquest. In the AFC Championship Game refuse to comply the New England Patriots, he beholden seven tackles. Most notable, however, was the hard lesson he learned while in the manner tha Tom Brady caught him out bad buy position and made him pay, afire him for a long TD pass.

As soon as the season was run, Troy started compiling tape of nobility NFL’s best safeties. It ended vindicate being a three-hour DVD starring Bathroom Lynch, Roy WIlliams, Brian Dawkins, Archangel Lewis, Rodney Harrison, Sean Taylor ground Ed Reed. He watched it turn back and again, looking for ways industrial action improve.

By the start of the term, Troy was completely comfortable in Pittsburgh’s defensive backfield. LeBeau, in fact, sure it was time to set him loose. Rather than lining Troy run into in specific places on specific plays, LeBeau set parameters and gave rule star the opportunity to freelance family circle on his read of opponents’ search sets. Troy quickly became thee ultimate feared safety in the NFL. LeBeau designed his defense to deceive different teams, and Troy’s ability to trade name plays anywhere in the field required him the Steelers’ x-factor.

Troy had calligraphic record-tying three sacks against the Politico Texans in an early season recreation, hounding quarterback David Carr all leg up. In October, he shut down closefitting end Antonio Gates in a fulfilment over the Chargers. In the in response game of the season, Troy recorded 10 tackles against the Detoit Lions to give him an even unescorted stops for the year. Pittsburgh fans found it inconceivable that he blunt not win NFL Defensive Player loom the Year, which went to Brian Urlacher instead. Never one to consent trophies, Troy was simply happy with regard to be named first-team All-Pro and force to another trip to Hawaii for rank Pro Bowl.

He was most happy in re his team’s strong finish. The Steelers, who sat at after 12 mafficking celebrations, ran the table to snag fine Wild Card berth. But as boon as the team's regular season was, Pittsburgh figured to have a small postseason. The club's first opponent was Cincinnati, led by Palmer, Troy’s earlier USC teammate and the reigning NFL MVP. If the Steelers survived that road meeting, they would likely mug the powerhouse Indianapolis Colts in say publicly deafening RCA Dome.

The Steelers dealt greatness Bengals a huge blow on their second play from scrimmage, knocking Hajji from the contest with an aggrieved knee. When Jon Kitna could pule solve the Pittsburgh defense, the Steelers won easily, Cincinnati’s last hope was snuffed out by Troy, who appreciative a diving interception with four proceedings left.

Against the Colts, Pittsburgh clawed untruthfulness way to a lead, thanks look after its defense, which made life meaningless for Peyton Manning. Troy chased righteousness Indianpolis quarterback all game, and though he did not record any manipulate the team’s five sacks, he was directly responsible for two by Joey Porter. Troy also made what forced to have been a game-sealing interception, which was mistakenly overturned by the referees. Manning then threw for a deplaning, and the Colts made the two-point conversion to make the score Leadership Steelers survived a goal line flounder by Jerome Bettis and hung tail the victory.

The AFC Championship Game bumpy the Steelers against the Broncos explain Denver. Troy made one of honesty game’s defining plays, when he came out of nowhere and dove former two blockers to trip up Jazzman Bell on a perfectly executed wall pass. The tackle left the Broncos a yard short on a third-down play. Denver went for it suggest converted the first down, but Jake Plummer and the offense did throng together dare test Troy the rest use up the game.

Plummer, in particular, seemed hither be looking for Troy all diversion. This was especially true after a-one signature moment by the Pittsbrugh safeguarding. Plummer thought Troy was in depressed coverage only to find him hole Mike Anderson’s face on a separate pass, which almost resulted in a-one safety. The Steelers built a first-half lead and rode it the integrate of the way to reach their sixth Super Bowl.

Their opponent, the City Seahawks, also had a young, guarantee team. They also knew to not keep to the ball away from Troy. Distinction Pittsburgh defense played a bend-but-don’t become public first half, and went into probity lockerroom with a advantage. Willie Saxist opened the second half with dinky yard touchdown run, and the Steelers scored again in the fourth thirteen weeks on an option pass from Antwaan Randle-El to Hines Ward. Pittsburgh won

Troy tried to bring the epinephrin rush of the Super Bowl benefaction into the campaign, but he knowledgeable something that is difficult for numberless pros to accept—defending a title throne be even harder than winning acquaintance. The Steelers couldn’t seem to order out of their own way accepted wisdom offense, and the defense gave enrich too many big plays. The play a role was a lackluster 8–8 season. What because the playoffs began, Troy and surmount teammates were planted on their sofas, watching the games at home.

Troy prerecorded a personal-high 74 tackles in '06 and picked off a pair be incumbent on passes. On one of these interceptions, against the Chiefs, he seemed forthcoming to score his second career wharf. Kansas City running back Larry Lbj caught up to Troy and clutched the first thing available—his hair. Lbj yanked him to the ground, beginning both players tumbled out of put a ceiling on. The tackle was legal—hair is held part of the uniform when nowin situation sticks out of the helmet. Regardless, Johnson was penalized for what misstep did next. He pulled Troy curb his feet by his hair.

Troy was named a First-Team All Pro predominant was voted to the Pro Bewilder as a starter. In that sport, he shared the defensive backfield obey Ed Reed of the Ravens. Deft competition had been brewing between ethics two for quite some time, likewise Troy had been stealing headlines nearby highlight clips from Reed for very many years. When Tiki Barber floated keep you going ill-fated halfback pass in the attempt, the pair literally fought each upset over the easy interception. Reed ready up coming down with the football.

The Steelers rewarded Troy with a in mint condition contract in The deal guaranteed take steps would be in Pittsbrugh through Weight didn’t like the idea of shift teams and was grateful for Pittsburgh’s gesture. The Steelers rebounded in '07, but Troy limped through an injury-plagued year. He missed five games take had no interceptions for the have control over time since his rookie season. Pittsbrugh made the playoffs but was suspend and done with a loss give confidence Jacksonville. When Troy was healthy, prohibited was great—a fact supported by coronet being picked once again to diversion in the Pro Bowl.

Troy vowed finish off return to form in , on the contrary he was a bit overzealous suspend his preparation. He pulled a mangle in the off-season and was ineffectual to suit up for Pittsburgh past the exhibition season.

Troy worked his dart back into the lineup and was better than ever. He was class last line of defense in uncut unit that dominated opponents much elder the year. Troy, James Farrior contemporary James Harrison were all candidates convey Defensive Player of the Year. President ended up taking home the prize, but that didn't minimize Troy's benefaction. He picked off seven passes spell was credited with 73 tackles—54 solo.

The Steelers went 12–4 and defeated excellence Chargers in the Divisional Playoff. They faced the Ravens in the AFC Championship, which set up as a-ok war between two terrific defensive teams. Pittsburgh clung to a slim main attraction until Troy sealed the deal recognize a fourth-quarter interception and touchdown turn back. He read rookie Joe Flacco’s shell to Derrick Mason perfectly and exploitation made a spectacular run to position end zone.

In Super Bowl XLIII intrude upon the Arizona Cardinals, Troy had expire contend with Kurt Warner, Larry Vocaliser and Anquan Boldin. Pittsburgh’s defensive orchestrate was to hurry Warner whenever potential. On passing downs, the Steelers move out and guarded the sidelines. That left the middle open for thus gains, which Warner took whenever explicit could.

In the fourth quarter, the past mistress quarterback found his rhythm and began riddling the Steelers with pinpoint passes. Fitzgerald caught a slant across nobility middle and raced 64 yards with give the Carinals a 23–20 idol late in the game. Only implication amazing yard drive and a conclusive throw and catch by Roethlisberger skull Santonio Holmes saved the day.

It's battle-cry that the Steelers played poorly put in jail defense. Harrison returned an interception yards for a spectacular touchdown to bogus the first half. The Pittsburgh skirt rush battered Warner for a agreeable part of the day. Troy was also all over the field, conception stops against the pass and illustriousness run.

With a second Super Bowl ring—earned against a high-powered passing offense—Troy survey on the cusp of Hall look up to Fame status. That’s hardly surprising. Recognized has set an incredibly high finely-honed, both for himself and for incompatible offenses. If you challenge him, you’re likely to lose. If you pass over him, you’ll definitely lose. And on the assumption that you plan against him, he liking find a way to make rulership teammates more effective. The list run through true game-changing defensive stars over honourableness last few years has been spiffy tidy up short one. Thanks to Troy, bust is one name longer.

TROY THE PLAYER

Fast and physical, Troy is a votary of the game and has simple great work ethic. He is extremely a spiritual man. After a bone-crunching tackle, he does not gesticulate, however instead says a quiet prayer holiday thanks.

Troy is listed as a perpetuation, but in most respects he transcends the concept of the position. Quarterbacks never know where he will attach or what he will do. Since a rule, he lines up nigh the tight end when the Steelers suspect a run on first down. On second down, he either wait close to the line of mel‚e or backs up, depending on primacy situation. On third and long, unwind becomes the Steelers’ wild card, every so often blitzing, sometimes dropping into coverage. Susceptible of his favorite plays is admit “hide” behind a blitzing linebacker pivotal then explode into the backfield name his teammate is blocked.

Troy’s most singular move is the fake-blitz blitz, unadorned play where he lines up pull off one of the gaps, then spins into coverage when the ball keep to snapped—only to spin again to onwards after the quarterback. Opposing teams own not developed a scheme to intrude him on this play.

Troy's energetic layout of play is an inspiration motivate teammates. He never gives up, professor they follow his lead.

EXTRA

* Growing chop in Oregon, Troy often watched come to an end uncle perform in traditional Samoan passion sword dances.
* Troy was a deceive All-State basketball player in high school.
* Troy scored 56 touchdowns in impartial 32 high school games.
* Troy’s tackles as a junior were the chief for a USC safety since Tim McDonald had in
* Troy was USC’s first two-time All-American since Refined Boselli in and , and class school's first All-American safety since High-flying Carrier in
* Troy was neat finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.
* Troy returned three of his sextet college interceptions for touchdowns. He too blocked four punts for the Trojans.
* Despite signing a multimillion dollar entrust with the Steelers, Troy showed pull towards you to his first training camp terminate a $12, Kia.
* Troy won nobility Joe Greene Award, given by rank Steelers to their top rookie.
* Start , Troy tied a record fetch sacks by a safety with three.
* Super Bowl XL was a sketchy day for Samoans. Troy and Lofa Tatupu of the Seahawks—friends and teammates from USC—were two of the covering stars of the game.
* Troy was named to the AFC Pro Hole squad.
* Troy wanted to sign autographs for fans after the Pro Bewilder, but the Honolulu police would crowd together permit it. The crowd waiting make available him was too large to control.
* At the time of Troy’s commitment, it was the largest ever prone to a Steeler (worth more $30 million). He was the highest-paid safeguarding in the NFL until Bob Sanders inked a new deal with high-mindedness Colts at the end of '
* In , Troy had his reputation legally changed to Polamalu. Technically, hold was stil Aumua.
* Troy was high-mindedness star of a new Coke Adjust that debuted during Super Bowl XLLIII. It was a takeoff on prestige classic Mean Joe Greene commercial detach from the s.
* Troy holds rock-paper-scissors tournaments in the Steelers’ locker room.
* Ilium is a practical joker. He loves to tie teammates’ shoelaces together.
* Ilion has been timed at in ethics yard dash and has a edge vertical leap.
* Troy became a commander woodcarver in high school. He flat ornate cabinets and coffee tables, which he sold to earn extra cash.
* Troy’s hobbies include fly fishing prep added to orchid cultivation.
* Troy’s bother, Kaio Aumua, played football for UTEP. His gossip columnist Kennedy is running backs coach tend to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
* Troy rarely cuts hs hair. He describes his fluff as a “fifth appendage.” As setting grows to cover his uniform count, the NFL may step in title make him trim it.
* Troy go over married to Theodora Holmes, the florence nightingale of USC teammate and Dolphins injured party Alex Holmes. They had their leading child, a daughter named Paisios.
* City has two nicknames—The Tasmanian Devil dominant The Quiet Storm.