"Troy being Troy."
That is something that has been uttered time and time again by Troy Polamalu's teammates, coaches, and even those who faced the challenge of playing against him.
And on Saturday night, on one of the biggest stages in pro football, everyone saw "Troy being Troy."
And best of all, everyone saw him in person.
After announcing last week that he tested positive for COVID-19, Polamalu was cleared to be at the enshrinement ceremony to unveil his bust and deliver his speech in person.
And Steelers Nation was thrilled.
But before the night even began, Polamalu received his Gold Jacket after missing the moment the night before.
And then the moment came, when Hall of Famer Dick LeBeau, Polamalu's former defensive coordinator, helped him unveil his bust. A bust that fittingly showed off his incredible hair.
Polamalu, who was definitely moved by it all, said it plain and simple.
"I love football," the newly minted Hall of Famer said.
And football, well, it loves him. And so does Steelers Nation, who took over Canton. The cheers were as loud as ever heard and Terrible Towels were everywhere, even waived by fans wearing other team's jerseys.
"You guys, thank you," said Polamalu to the crowd. "Congratulations to the Class of 2020 and Class of 2021, and welcome back to fill the Gold Jackets, your presence, without a doubt is most definitely felt. Thank you for being here.
"I love football. I love football. It was my entire life this as long as I can remember. I fostered an obsession with the game early on that I modeled after meticulous regiments of some of the greatest artists of past. Dickens, Beethoven, their mystic. These great men were known to have a beast like work ethic, coupled with an unwavering ability to create until perfection, beyond what most believe the human body will allow. To me, that's what it takes from being ordinary to extraordinary. It is the willingness to push beyond what the brain says the body is possible and create a new order of boundaries for oneself. It is the ability to learn from greatness around you and curate for yourself a unique version of their efforts.
"Football challenged me mentally, physically and spiritually, in a way that no other feature of life could. So, I was hooked. I had to succeed in order to quench this desire where I knew I would have lived a life without direction."
There was no patting himself on the back as he was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Not even close.
Because that wouldn't have been "Troy being Troy."
It was all about doing it his way, and that meant deflecting every ounce of credit for his success to those who have helped him along the way.
"Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my journey to make this feat possible," said Polamalu. "To give me the opportunity to live my passion fulfilled and rest knowing that I achieved my objective."
The reality though is it takes a special player to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. Polamalu was a special player and then some.
Polamalu, who was joined by his former coach, Bill Cowher and former Steelers safety Donnie Shell as a part of the Hall of Fame Class of 2020, was drafted by the Steelers in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft, the 16th pick overall. He played 12 seasons for the Steelers, redefining the way the safety position was played.
A two-time Super Bowl champion, Polamalu also was a four-time first-team All-Pro selection, two-time second team All-Pro selection, NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2010), eight-time Pro Bowler and a member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team and Steelers All-Time Team.
His career totals include 12.0 sacks, 32 interceptions, 13 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries during the regular season, and his postseason numbers include one half-sack and three interceptions, one which was returned for a touchdown.
But for Troy, it was all about those around him, those he shared the football stage with.
And he shared it with his family, his wife Theodora and his sons, Paisios and Ephraim.
He also shared it with those from his American Samoan culture, as he reached back, pulled his hair down, and let the locks flow.
"I come from a culture where discipline, humility and respect are not only the foundation to our survival, but the key to our existence," said Polamalu. "I am a first-generation American Samoan and proudly representing my family's lineage to America to the NFL.
"My uncle Kennedy (Polamalu) instilled in me, who's a current running backs coach for the Minnesota Vikings, an authentic respect and passion for the game, his intensity has inspired not just me, but countless athletes to revere and love the game at all costs. Uncle, you're a true coach, not just in sport, but in life."
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August 08, 2021 at 09:39AM
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Troy: 'I love football' - Steelers.com
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