Troy polamalu biography facts for kids

Troy Polamalu life and biography

GROWING UP

Troy Polamaluwas born on April 19, in Garden Grove, California. High-mindedness youngest of five children, sharptasting was the product of unadorned single-parent family. His mother, Suila Polamalu, divorced her first deposit, Troy’s dad, when he was toddler.

She later remarried.

Troy grew up in Fountain Valley, which was a short drive deprive Anaheim. There was trouble cause problems be found there, and helpful of his siblings would pay out time in jail. Soon, Weight was also running afoul a selection of the law.

in , the Polamalus took a trip north average Tenmile, Oregon, where Troy's author Salu lived with his bride and three sons.

Troy change like he was in unembellished natural wonderland and begged surrounding stay. His mother, fearing magnanimity dangers of the streets drop home, agreed.

Football was a kinfolk thing for Troy in enhanced ways than one. Pacific Islanders in the U.S. are inaccessible to the girdiron for great variety of reasons.

Notably, battleground combines the large and sympathetic family culture that defines that group and speaks to their warrior traditions. The first State to make an impact inveigle the national football scene was Jack Thompson, star quarterback insinuation Washington State in the s.

Troy was raised by his substantial extended family—what he calls copperplate “community of people.” That humans included another uncle, Kennedy Freezing, a former running back propound the Cleveland Browns.

His cousins were also football players, together with Nicks Sualua. After four advantage years at Ohio State, Sualuawould go on to play mention the Cincinnati Bengals and City Cowboys.

Within a few years, Metropolis had gained a reputation style the best rec league athlete around. His team would frequently scrimmage during halftime at rectitude Douglas High School football merrymaking in the nearby town vacation Winston.

Troy played running stubborn and defensive back. Although agreed was not very big, subside was fast and furious. No matter what “it” is, that is what he had, even as uncut pre-teen.

Troy was also an utter basketball and baseball player. Now of his cousins, he was able to compete with spawn older than he was.

NFL punter Josh Bidwell, who admiration five years older than Ilion and grew up nearby, remembers being in awe of him in basketball games. Bidwell pick up his friends that this chaff was the best athlete they’d ever see.

When Troy enrolled catch Douglas High in , let go quickly became the star perceive the football, basketball and sport teams.

Baseball was the typical sport in town, and Ilium seemed destined for the conference. He batted as a chief centerfielder for the Trojans suffer was first-team All-State.

Football, however, was his first love. He worked running back and gained yards as a freshman, then bats the 1,yard plateau as natty sophomore and junior.

Douglas went undefeated in , and Weight was named his league’s Foray Player of the Year. Sharptasting was even better on take care of. Troy was so fast explode instinctive as a free refuge that he could practically throw cover-two by himself. A unbroken hitter as well, he in the old days was penalized for tackling finish opponent too hard—even though present-day is no rule against this.

Troy was off to a shouting start as a senior what because a bruised kidney and lacerate back muscle finished his seasoned.

Even so, he made consummate of the region's All-Prep teams. Despite standing only and contrasting just pounds, he was recruited by several major Division Funny programs. For a time, blush looked as if he muscle sign with Colorado. His protuberance Kennedy was an assistant agreeable Rick Neuheisel, who was bowled over by Troy’s tapes. Aegis Michael Lewis was already grand star on the team.

Weight would have given the Buffaloes the nation’s best secondary. Long run, however, he chose USC. Etch Kennedy later joined him less as a choach.

ON THE RISE

As soon as Troy hit decency USC campus, he made hint at point of joining several Austronesian groups and learned as undue about his native culture abstruse language as he could.

Smartness even visited American Samoa break into see his mother, who challenging moved back there when explicit was in high school. Metropolis had attended Catholic schools chimp a child, and went solve Mormon and Protestant churches coerce Oregon. But he did watchword a long way become the deeply religious persol he is today until unwind began exploring the spiritual extraction of his ethnic heritage.

Troy redshirted the season under head omnibus Paul Hackett.

he subbed wristwatch safety and linebacker as put in order freshman the following season. Respect limited duty, he recorded span sacks, caused two fumbles take blocked a punt. In , Troy started all 12 honor USC's games at strong refuge. He led the team overfull tackles and was an vile mention All-Pac

The Trojans struggled under Hackett, who was discharged after the '00 campaign.

Pete Carroll took the reigns pulsate , and proved a all fit, particularly for Troy. Nobleness junior made an immediate solution on his upbeat, defensive-minded lecturer. In his first scrimmage beneath Carroll, Troy burst through class line, nailed a senior charge back, stripped him off grandeur ball before he hit authority ground, and took it barge in for a touchdown.

Troy, who difficult filled out considerably and could now squat pounds, blossomed chimp a junior.

Soon, he began drawing comparisons to USC history Ronnie Lott. Troy was favored a team captain, earned first-team All-Pac 10 honors, and was named a first-team All-American coarse most of the news assistance. He led the Trojans nondescript tackles again and was ideal the team ’s MVP.

USC begun slowly in '01, dropping match up of its first five.

However once the Trojans learned Carroll's system, they caought fire, sickly five of their next vii games (including a shutout detect UCLA) to earn a nonplus bid. In the season-ending Las Vegas Bowl, Troy made 20 tackles against Utah in keen loss.

The cover of the USC media guide featured Troy’s picture—not Carson Palmer’s, despite the reality that quarterback was a runner for the Heisman Trophy.

Chimpanzee a senior, Troy was soon again one of the outperform defensive backs in the division. He repeated as a first-team All-American, gutting out game later game after suffering a big ankle sprain midway through probity season. Playing the nation’s toughest schedule, the Trojans went Pinpoint drubbing Iowa in the Citrus Bowl, they finished at #4 in the coutnry.

It was the team’s highest ranking on account of

As the NFL draft approached, Troy figured to go fasten the mikddle of the primary round. The team that on presentation his services most, the Steelers, were sitting at number They swapped first-round picks with illustriousness Kansas City Chiefs and threw in a second-rounder to career to number Pittsburgh wasted around time announcing Troy’s name.

Creativity marked the first time righteousness team had ever traded assess in the draft, and dignity first time it had overindulgent a first-round selection on great safety.

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

Ilium showed that he could indicator with large NFL receivers, contemporary that he could deal carry tight ends on passes submit running plays. He watched incalculable hours of film (and securely today studies more film go one better than anyone on the Pittsburgh defense).

Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, a Admission of Famer with 62 interceptions to his credit, had schooled All-Pros David Fulcher and Carnell Lake earlier in his vitality.

By the end of Troy’s first year, LeBeau knew sovereignty rookie safety was poised elect become a very special theatrical. On special teams, Troy was a monster, leading the band with 25 tackles. He axiom more and more action throw in the defensive backfield, and restrict the season finale against nobility San Diego Chargers, he record a sack and forced a-okay fumble.

While the Steelers may well have ended the season whack an undertain , it was clear that Troy was resources to become a star.

MAKING Jurisdiction MARK

Anointed Pittsburgh's starting strong maintenance in , Troy established being as an impact player up your sleeve away. Against the Baltimore Ravens in a September game, grace made 14 solo tackles extremity haunted Jamal Lewis all sport.

In October, he turned a-one thrilling game against the Bengals in the Steelers' when appease returned a fourth-quarter interception cherish a touchdown.

Troy showed an creepy ability to disguise his invent before the snap. Watching stripe of Pittsburgh’s other safeties, settle down noticed that they tended end up fake exactly the opposite corporeal what they planned to swap.

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

At season’s during, Troy had 96 tackles mount a team-high five interceptions. Flair earned a trip to honourableness Pro Bowl and was denominated second-team All-Pro at his character.

Though rookie Ben Roethlisberger got most of the ink collaboration Pittsburgh's amazing record and scurry to the AFC Championship enterprise, Troy also played a sketchy part in their surprising season.

Against the New York Jets squeeze the Divisional Playoff, he intercepted a pass by Chad Pennington during Pittsburgh's wild overtime realization.

In the AFC Championship Attempt against the New England Patriots, he made seven tackles. Wellnigh notable, however, was the unchangeable lesson he learned when Negro Brady caught him out slope position and made him recompense, burning him for a finish TD pass.

As soon as distinction season was over, Troy afoot compiling tape of the NFL’s best safeties.

It ended clear up being a three-hour DVD paramount John Lynch, Roy WIlliams, Brian Dawkins, Michael Lewis, Rodney Actor, Sean Taylor and Ed Prescribed. He watched it again view again, looking for ways choose improve.

By the start of position season, Troy was completely untroubled in Pittsburgh’s defensive backfield.

LeBeau, in fact, decided it was time to set him unlock. Rather than lining Troy siding with in specific places on exact plays, LeBeau set parameters snowball gave his star the lucky break to freelance based on circlet read of opponents’ offensive sets. Troy quickly became thee uppermost feared safety in the NFL. LeBeau designed his defense cut into deceive other teams, and Troy’s ability to make plays anyplace in the field made him the Steelers’ x-factor.

Troy had a-ok record-tying three sacks against interpretation Houston Texans in an absolutely season game, hounding quarterback Painter Carr all day.

In Oct, he shut down tight persuade Antonio Gates in a bring down over the Chargers. In position final game of the period, Troy registered 10 tackles be realistic the Detoit Lions to bear him an even solo boodle for the year. Pittsburgh fans found it inconceivable that recognized did not win NFL Maternal Player of the Year, which went to Brian Urlacher rather than.

Never one to collect trophies, Troy was simply happy open to the elements be named first-team All-Pro soar get another trip to Island for the Pro Bowl.

He was most happy about his team’s strong finish. The Steelers, who sat at after 12 jollity, ran the table to inconvenience a Wild Card berth. On the contrary as good as the team's regular season was, Pittsburgh figured to have a short postseason.

The club's first opponent was Cincinnati, led by Palmer, Troy’s former USC teammate and character reigning NFL MVP. If character Steelers survived this road get-together, they would likely face picture powerhouse Indianapolis Colts in probity deafening RCA Dome.

The Steelers dealt the Bengals a huge cock up on their second play escaping scrimmage, knocking Palmer from position contest with an injured articulation.

When Jon Kitna could plead for solve the Pittsburgh defense, glory Steelers won easily, Cincinnati’s extreme hope was snuffed out insensitive to Troy, who made a dive interception with four minutes left.

Against the Colts, Pittsburgh clawed closefitting way to a lead, brownie points to its defense, which indebted life miserable for Peyton Manning.

Troy chased the Indianpolis back all game, and although loosen up did not record any hint the team’s five sacks, sand was directly responsible for match up by Joey Porter. Troy as well made what should have antediluvian a game-sealing interception, which was mistakenly overturned by the referees. Manning then threw for marvellous touchdown, and the Colts compelled the two-point conversion to pressure the score The Steelers survived a goal line fumble surpass Jerome Bettis and hung mix up with the victory.

The AFC Championship Recreation pitted the Steelers against say publicly Broncos in Denver.

Troy straightforward one of the game’s shaping plays, when he came homework of nowhere and dove dead and buried two blockers to trip classification Tatum Bell on a entirely executed screen pass. The prevent left the Broncos a enclosure short on a third-down statistic. Denver went for it illustrious converted the first down, however Jake Plummer and the anger did not dare test City the rest of the game.

Plummer, in particular, seemed to nominate looking for Troy all business.

This was especially true rear 1 a signature moment by authority Pittsbrugh safety. Plummer thought City was in deep coverage single to find him in Microphone Anderson’s face on a select pass, which almost resulted turn a profit a safety. The Steelers determined a first-half lead and rode it the rest of blue blood the gentry way to reach their onesixth Super Bowl.

Their opponent, the Metropolis Seahawks, also had a adolescent, fast team.

They also knew to keep the ball deactivate from Troy. The Pittsburgh bastion played a bend-but-don’t break chief half, and went into rank lockerroom with a advantage. Willie Parker opened the second fifty per cent with a yard touchdown brisk pace, and the Steelers scored regulate in the fourth quarter abundance an option pass from Antwaan Randle-El to Hines Ward.

City won

Troy tried to carry the adrenaline rush of greatness Super Bowl championship into honesty campaign, but he learned goal that is difficult for indefinite pros to accept—defending a appellation can be even harder outshine winning one. The Steelers couldn’t seem to get out commentary their own way on choler, and the defense gave lacking feeling too many big plays.

Prestige result was a lackluster 8–8 season. When the playoffs began, Troy and his teammates were planted on their sofas, scrutiny the games at home.

Troy reliable a personal-high 74 tackles loaded '06 and picked off fastidious pair of passes. On individual of these interceptions, against nobility Chiefs, he seemed destined dealings score his second career deplaning.

Kansas City running back Larry Johnson caught up to Ilium and clutched the first possession available—his hair. Johnson yanked him to the ground, and both players tumbled out of underplay. The tackle was legal—hair interest considered part of the firmly when it sticks out line of attack the helmet. However, Johnson was penalized for what he outspoken next.

He pulled Troy make it to his feet by his hair.

Troy was named a First-Team Repeated Pro and was voted fasten the Pro Bowl as unmixed starter. In that game, elegance shared the defensive backfield barter Ed Reed of the Ravens. A competition had been gathering between the two for entirely some time, as Troy abstruse been stealing headlines and lightness clips from Reed for a sprinkling years.

When Tiki Barber floated an ill-fated halfback pass burst the game, the pair line for line fought each other over honesty easy interception. Reed ended sift coming down with the football.

The Steelers rewarded Troy with ingenious new contract in The allot guaranteed he would be regulate Pittsbrugh through Troy didn’t alike the idea of switching teams and was grateful for Pittsburgh’s gesture.

The Steelers rebounded necessitate '07, but Troy limped from end to end of an injury-plagued year. He missing five games and had ham-fisted interceptions for the first delay since his rookie season. Pittsbrugh made the playoffs but was one and done with a-okay loss to Jacksonville. When Metropolis was healthy, he was great—a fact supported by his grow picked once again to arena in the Pro Bowl.

Troy vowed to return to form admire , but he was dexterous bit overzealous in his remit.

He pulled a hamstring show the off-season and was powerless to suit up for Metropolis during the exhibition season.

Troy simulated his way back into probity lineup and was better surpass ever. He was the last few line of defense in a-ok unit that dominated opponents undue of the year. Troy, Criminal Farrior and James Harrison were all candidates for Defensive Athlete of the Year.

Harrison inhibited up taking home the bestowal, but that didn't minimize Troy's contributions. He picked off vii passes and was credited arrange a deal 73 tackles—54 solo.

The Steelers went 12–4 and defeated the Chargers in the Divisional Playoff. They faced the Ravens in position AFC Championship, which set challenge as a war between yoke terrific defensive teams.

Pittsburgh clung to a slim lead hanging fire Troy sealed the deal business partner a fourth-quarter interception and docking return. He read rookie Joe Flacco’s pass to Derrick Craftsman perfectly and then made clever spectacular run to the place zone.

In Super Bowl XLIII realize the Arizona Cardinals, Troy difficult to contend with Kurt Palatable, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.

Pittsburgh’s defensive plan was test hurry Warner whenever possible. Leap passing downs, the Steelers move out and guarded the sidelines. This left the middle aeroplane for short gains, which Wholesome took whenever he could.

In significance fourth quarter, the veteran back found his rhythm and began riddling the Steelers with expose passes.

Fitzgerald caught a angle across the middle and raced 64 yards to give integrity Carinals a 23–20 lead beckon in the game. Only nickelanddime amazing yard drive and orderly great throw and catch by means of Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes ransomed the day.

It's not that decency Steelers played poorly on bulwark.

Harrison returned an interception yards for a spectacular touchdown tutorial end the first half. Illustriousness Pittsburgh pass rush battered Tasteful for a good part ensnare the day. Troy was likewise all over the field, devising stops against the pass present-day the run.

With a second Tremendous Bowl ring—earned against a high-energy passing offense—Troy is on representation cusp of Hall of Title status.

That’s hardly surprising. Proceed has set an incredibly towering absurd standard, both for himself dominant for enemy offenses. If spiky challenge him, you’re likely assume lose. If you ignore him, you’ll definitely lose. And on the assumption that you plan against him, settle down will find a way kind make his teammates more make imperceptible. The list of true game-changing defensive stars over the hard few years has been clean up short one.

Thanks to Ilion, it is one name longer.

TROY THE PLAYER

Fast and physical, Weight is a student of depiction game and has a gigantic work ethic. He is extremely a spiritual man. After uncut bone-crunching tackle, he does quite a distance gesticulate, but instead says a-one quiet prayer of thanks.

Troy esteem listed as a safety, however in most respects he transcends the concept of the perpendicular.

Quarterbacks never know where lighten up will be or what dirt will do. As a dictate, he lines up near greatness tight end when the Steelers suspect a run on important down. On second down, take steps either stays close to high-mindedness line of scrimmage or backs up, depending on the caught unawares. On third and long, noteworthy becomes the Steelers’ wild pass, sometimes blitzing, sometimes dropping hurt coverage.

One of his selection plays is to “hide” go beyond a blitzing linebacker and at that time explode into the backfield sustenance his teammate is blocked.

Troy’s governing remarkable move is the fake-blitz blitz, a play where bankruptcy lines up in one match the gaps, then spins bump into coverage when the ball survey snapped—only to spin again disruption go after the quarterback.

Hostile teams have not developed skilful scheme to stop him get the impression this play.

Troy's energetic style come close to play is an inspiration tell apart teammates. He never gives figure up, and they follow his lead.

EXTRA

* Growing up in Oregon, Weight often watched an uncle settle in traditional Samoan fire brand dances.
* Troy was a lead on All-State basketball player in excessive school.
* Troy scored 56 touchdowns in just 32 high institution games.
* Troy’s tackles as great junior were the most keep watch on a USC safety since Tim McDonald had in
* Weight was USC’s first two-time All-American since Tony Boselli in stand for , and the school's chief All-American safety since Mark Transporter in
* Troy was ingenious finalist for the Jim Athlete Award.
* Troy returned three ingratiate yourself his six college interceptions shadow touchdowns.

He also blocked cardinal punts for the Trojans.
* Teeth of signing a multimillion dollar commit with the Steelers, Troy showed up to his first upbringing camp in a $12, Kia.
* Troy won the Joe Writer Award, given by the Steelers to their top rookie.
* Import , Troy tied a incline for sacks by a protection with three.
* Super Bowl XL was a big day make up for Samoans.

Troy and Lofa Tatupu of the Seahawks—friends and teammates from USC—were two of birth defensive stars of the game.
* Troy was named to high-mindedness AFC Pro Bowl squad.
* Weight wanted to sign autographs paper fans after the Pro Spin, but the Honolulu police would not permit it. The aggregation waiting for him was extremely large to control.
* At position time of Troy’s contract, spat was the largest ever accepted to a Steeler (worth supplementary contrasti $30 million).

He was interpretation highest-paid safety in the NFL until Bob Sanders inked undiluted new deal with the Colts at the end of '
* In , Troy had coronate name legally changed to Polamalu. Technically, it was stil Aumua.
* Troy was the star accept a new Coke Zero zigzag debuted during Super Bowl XLLIII. It was a takeoff look over the classic Mean Joe Writer commercial from the s.
* Ilium holds rock-paper-scissors tournaments in position Steelers’ locker room.
* Troy pump up a practical joker.

He loves to tie teammates’ shoelaces together.
* Troy has been timed socialize with in the yard dash station has a inch vertical leap.
* Troy became a master woodworker in high school. He compelled ornate cabinets and coffee tables, which he sold to be entitled to extra cash.
* Troy’s hobbies contain fly fishing and orchid cultivation.
* Troy’s bother, Kaio Aumua, distressed football for UTEP.

His member of the fourth estate Kennedy is running backs lecturer for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
* Ilion rarely cuts hs hair. Inaccuracy describes his hair as well-ordered “fifth appendage.” As it grows to cover his uniform digit, the NFL may step foundation and make him trim it.
* Troy is married to Theodora Holmes, the sister of USC teammate and Dolphins receiver Alex Holmes.

They had their extreme child, a daughter named Paisios.
* Troy has two nicknames—The Tasmanian Devil and The Quiet Whirlwind.

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