Former USC safety Isaiah Pola-Mao made a splash on Saturday night with a pick-six off the Los Angeles Rams and rookie quarterback Stetson Bennett . And the Las Vegas Raiders second year defensive back is carrying on a hefty NFL legacy.
Pola-Mao plays in the defensive backfield, patrolling the same place his uncle and a fellow USC alum patrolled. That uncle? Legendary safety and Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu.
The pick-six just before halftime gave the Raiders a touchdown lead against the Rams heading into the break.
Pola-Mao made the Raiders roster as an undrafted free agent signed from USC coming out of the 2022 training camp, later to be waived, signed to the practice squad, and eventually re-elevated to the active roster.
With plays like the one he made on Saturday — a play that could’ve been a carbon copy of a play Polamalu made — Pola-Mao is doing all he can to lock up a more secure roster spot.
It’s been a big Saturday for Pola-Mao and other NFL legacies
With his dad watching from the stands, Pittsburgh Steelers rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. reached a major milestone Saturday. Playing in a preseason game against the Bills, Porter stepped in front of receiver Khalil Shakir to record his first career interception in the black and yellow.
After celebrating with his teammates following the play, the cornerback walked up to his father to share a special moment. He handed him the ball, ensuring that the family will always be able to carry a piece of what will hopefully be the first of many more picks as he embarks on his NFL career.
Pittsburgh selected Porter Jr. with the first pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Penn State . The selection made headlines as Joey Porter Sr. is a former Steelers linebacker who played for the team from 1999-2006. He earned four Pro Bowl appearances in his career and also won a Super Bowl with the franchise in 2005.
Joey Porter Jr. is coming off of a senior season at Penn State in which he was named a first team All-Big Ten selection as well as earning second team All-American honors. He recorded a career-high 11 passes defended — including a program single-game record six against Purdue — to go along with 27 total tackles and a fumble recovery. For his career, Porter had 113 tackles, one interception and 20 passes defended.
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