PITTSBURGH (93.7 the Fan) It could be argued that Troy Polamalu is one of the greatest safeties to ever play in the NFL.
His induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame with the Class of 2020 only adds to his legacy and what he meant to the Pittsburgh Steelers during his career.
From 2003 to 2014 the big haired safety terrorized opposing offenses with the Steelers.
Now in 2021, he trades in his black and gold for a gold jacket in Canton, Ohio.
Polamalu joined the Face First Podcast, produced by former Steeler teammate Ryan Clark to discuss what being inducted into the Hall of Fame meant to him.
“I felt like I was chosen… to represent our defense,” Polamalu said sitting with Clark and other former Steelers teammate, Ike Taylor.
A defense that featured those three men including other standouts like James Farrior, Casey Hampton, and James Harrison.
Speaking through tears, Polamalu asked the question “why am I the one representing us?” acknowledging that playing football is a team game, especially for how outstanding that particular defense was.
Taylor jumped in with an answer: “We felt like you were the chosen one. 43. He’s going to the Hall of Fame.”
Throughout Polamalu’s career, the Steelers regularly boasted one of the best defenses in the NFL and he was a large part of that.
With his athleticism, instinct, and football knowledge Polamalu became the perfect face to represent a championship defense.
Watch and listen to the full episode of Face First here.