The Pittsburgh Steelers made a legendary pick when they selected Troy Polamalu in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Polamalu became one of the Steelers' all-time greats and one of the greatest safeties to ever play the game at the NFL level. He was polarizing for all the right reasons. He never said anything wrong, he did all of the right things, and always showed up to work. For him, that’s all football was, just a job. He’s never been a big follower of the game, so when he was coming out of USC, all he cared about was not having to leave California.
Polamalu made an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show on Tuesday, offering insights into his remarkable career and his reputation as a formidable opponent for opposing offenses. Known for his understated demeanor, Polamalu's interviews are a rare treat, allowing fans to gain valuable perspectives from the legendary player.
Rich Eisen asked Polamalu about his first reaction to when he found out he was going to be a Steeler.
"Quite honestly, I didn't want to leave California coming out of USC, so when I got this 412 area code, I had no idea where it was from, but I knew it wasn't Oakland, I knew it wasn't San Diego, and I knew it wasn't L.A. or anywhere in California.”
Polamalu went on to talk about how he never was a big follower of the game of football. He just happened to be really good at it.
"I'm not a big follower of the game, so like Heinz Field, I was calling Three Rivers, which had already been changed over several years into it. I didn't even know Coach [Bill] Cowher was still coaching. There was a lot of things, and even in the NFL once I started playing in it.”
Once Polamalu got familiar with the city, he learned to make it a home, but it was a process for him having to travel so far. He played his entire 12-year career with the Steelers so it's safe to say he started to love being in Pittsburgh.
Perhaps the best part about this interview was when Polamalu mentioned he had no idea Bill Cowher was even still coaching. Most guys would want to know who the coach they'll be playing for is, but Polamalu just wanted to play football.
Steelers' Troy Polamalu Could Do Everything
Polamalu will forever be a legendary figure in Steelers history He left an indelible mark on the NFL with his remarkable defensive prowess. Throughout his illustrious career, Polamalu recorded an impressive 783 tackles, demonstrating his exceptional ability to stop opposing offenses in their tracks.
His proficiency extended to sacking quarterbacks, tallying 12 sacks, and showcasing his versatility as a playmaker. As a ball hawk in the secondary, Polamalu's 32 interceptions made him a constant threat to disrupt passing plays, while his 14 forced fumbles exhibited his knack for creating turnovers.
Moreover, he found the end zone five times on defense, showcasing his ability to turn turnovers into game-changing touchdowns. With 107 pass deflections, Polamalu was a consistent force in breaking up opponent's passing attempts, solidifying his place as one of the all-time greats in NFL history.
As a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Steelers (XL and XLIII), he played a pivotal role in the team's success on the grandest stage. Polamalu's exceptional defensive skills earned him the prestigious NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2010, a testament to his ability to dominate on the field.
His consistency was evident through his four First Team All-Pro selections (2005, 2008, 2010, 2011) and two Second Team All-Pro honors (2004, 2007), highlighting his status as one of the era's premier defensive talents. Polamalu's impact was further recognized with eight Pro Bowl selections (2004-2008, 2010, 2011, 2013) and his inclusion in the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team.
His legacy as a Steelers legend was cemented with his place on the Steelers All-Time Team and his induction into the Steelers Hall of Honor, solidifying his position as one of the franchise's all-time greats.
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