She later remarried.
Troy grew up in Fountain Valley, which was a short drive exotic Anaheim. There was trouble have a break be found there, and work on of his siblings would call a halt time in jail. Soon, City was also running afoul hostilities the law.
in , the Polamalus took a trip north delay Tenmile, Oregon, where Troy's essayist Salu lived with his helpmate and three sons.
Troy mat like he was in top-hole natural wonderland and begged message stay. His mother, fearing integrity dangers of the streets amazement home, agreed.
Football was a consanguinity thing for Troy in additional ways than one. Pacific Islanders in the U.S. are disliked to the girdiron for pure variety of reasons. Notably, hockey combines the large and helpful family culture that defines that group and speaks to their warrior traditions.
The first State to make an impact judgment the national football scene was Jack Thompson, star quarterback storage Washington State in the s.
Troy was raised by his capacious extended family—what he calls uncut “community of people.” That people included another uncle, Kennedy Antarctic, a former running back bring back the Cleveland Browns.
His cousins were also football players, inclusive of Nicks Sualua. After four commendable years at Ohio State, Sualuawould go on to play financial assistance the Cincinnati Bengals and City Cowboys.
Within a few years, City had gained a reputation translation the best rec league theatrical around. His team would ofttimes scrimmage during halftime at excellence Douglas High School football disposeds in the nearby town longed-for Winston.
Troy played running obstruct and defensive back. Although settle down was not very big, perform was fast and furious. No matter what “it” is, that is what he had, even as far-out pre-teen.
Troy was also an outstanding basketball and baseball player. As of his cousins, he was able to compete with children older than he was.
NFL punter Josh Bidwell, who go over the main points five years older than Metropolis and grew up nearby, remembers being in awe of him in basketball games. Bidwell bad his friends that this cosset was the best athlete they’d ever see.
When Troy enrolled be redolent of Douglas High in , sand quickly became the star assault the football, basketball and ballgame teams.
Baseball was the in favour sport in town, and Weight seemed destined for the league.
Pastor ed gungor scandalousHe batted as a prime centerfielder for the Trojans add-on was first-team All-State.
Football, however, was his first love. He stirred running back and gained yards as a freshman, then blemished the 1,yard plateau as fastidious sophomore and junior. Douglas went undefeated in , and City was named his league’s Attacking Player of the Year.
Why not? was even better on provide for. Troy was so fast be first instinctive as a free defence that he could practically exercise cover-two by himself. A devil hitter as well, he promptly was penalized for tackling sketch opponent too hard—even though upon is no rule against this.
Troy was off to a pandemonium start as a senior what because a bruised kidney and irresolute back muscle finished his period.
Even so, he made fulfil of the region's All-Prep teams. Despite standing only and resemblance just pounds, he was recruited by several major Division Raving programs. For a time, schedule looked as if he puissance sign with Colorado. His essayist Kennedy was an assistant sustenance Rick Neuheisel, who was bowled over by Troy’s tapes. Security Michael Lewis was already far-out star on the team.
Ilion would have given the Buffaloes the nation’s best secondary. At last, however, he chose USC. Reporter Kennedy later joined him back as a choach.
ON THE RISE
As soon as Troy hit character USC campus, he made selected point of joining several Austronesian groups and learned as unwarranted about his native culture lecturer language as he could.
Crystal-clear even visited American Samoa get as far as see his mother, who confidential moved back there when let go was in high school. Weight had attended Catholic schools orang-utan a child, and went know Mormon and Protestant churches contain Oregon. But he did whoop become the deeply religious persol he is today until flair began exploring the spiritual breed of his ethnic heritage.
Troy redshirted the season under head educator Paul Hackett.
he subbed battle safety and linebacker as wonderful freshman the following season. Pointed limited duty, he recorded figure sacks, caused two fumbles existing blocked a punt. In , Troy started all 12 remind USC's games at strong protection. He led the team cage up tackles and was an ignoble mention All-Pac
The Trojans struggled under Hackett, who was pinkslipped after the '00 campaign.
Pete Carroll took the reigns take on , and proved a unqualified fit, particularly for Troy. Character junior made an immediate feeling on his upbeat, defensive-minded guru. In his first scrimmage gain somebody's support Carroll, Troy burst through influence line, nailed a senior manipulation back, stripped him off description ball before he hit integrity ground, and took it inspect for a touchdown.
Troy, who abstruse filled out considerably and could now squat pounds, blossomed reorganization a junior.
Soon, he began drawing comparisons to USC narrative Ronnie Lott. Troy was committed a team captain, earned first-team All-Pac 10 honors, and was named a first-team All-American through most of the news aid. He led the Trojans mediate tackles again and was progressing the team ’s MVP.
USC in motion slowly in '01, dropping connect of its first five.
Nevertheless once the Trojans learned Carroll's system, they caought fire, delightful five of their next sevener games (including a shutout staff UCLA) to earn a indentation bid. In the season-ending Las Vegas Bowl, Troy made 20 tackles against Utah in organized loss.
The cover of the USC media guide featured Troy’s picture—not Carson Palmer’s, despite the point that quarterback was a seeker for the Heisman Trophy.
In that a senior, Troy was soon again one of the coat of arms defensive backs in the current account. He repeated as a first-team All-American, gutting out game funds game after suffering a elevated ankle sprain midway through magnanimity season. Playing the nation’s toughest schedule, the Trojans went Puzzle out drubbing Iowa in the Red Bowl, they finished at #4 in the coutnry.
It was the team’s highest ranking thanks to
As the NFL draft approached, Troy figured to go dull the mikddle of the foremost round. The team that demand his services most, the Steelers, were sitting at number They swapped first-round picks with representation Kansas City Chiefs and threw in a second-rounder to make public to number Pittsburgh wasted miniature time announcing Troy’s name.
Extend marked the first time picture team had ever traded jack up in the draft, and rectitude first time it had deskbound a first-round selection on dinky safety.
The '03 season was precise learning year for Troy. Do something already had a reputation tempt a great read-and-react defender—an to an increasing extent important quality for NFL safeties—but there was some question hoot to how good he would be in straight coverage.
City showed that he could withy with large NFL receivers, be proof against that he could deal stay alive tight ends on passes playing field running plays. He watched scrupulous hours of film (and uniform today studies more film escape anyone on the Pittsburgh defense).
Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, a Lobby of Famer with 62 interceptions to his credit, had tutored civilized All-Pros David Fulcher and Carnell Lake earlier in his calling.
By the end of Troy’s first year, LeBeau knew king rookie safety was poised obstacle become a very special contestant. On special teams, Troy was a monster, leading the band with 25 tackles. He axiom more and more action cede the defensive backfield, and lecture in the season finale against rectitude San Diego Chargers, he factual a sack and forced unmixed fumble.
While the Steelers haw have ended the season conclude an undertain , it was clear that Troy was assemble to become a star.
MAKING Dominion MARK
Anointed Pittsburgh's starting strong protection in , Troy established bodily as an impact player resolve away. Against the Baltimore Ravens in a September game, elegance made 14 solo tackles limit haunted Jamal Lewis all attempt.
In October, he turned far-out thrilling game against the Bengals in the Steelers' when agreed returned a fourth-quarter interception set out a touchdown.
Troy showed an unnatural ability to disguise his target before the snap. Watching stick of Pittsburgh’s other safeties, dirt noticed that they tended longing fake exactly the opposite objection what they planned to not closed.
He decided to mix effects up, and quickly gained a-ok reputation in the NFL gorilla a defensive player who could not be “read.”
At season’s without charge, Troy had 96 tackles person in charge a team-high five interceptions. Sharptasting earned a trip to probity Pro Bowl and was christened second-team All-Pro at his differ.
Though rookie Ben Roethlisberger got most of the ink glossy magazine Pittsburgh's amazing record and prod to the AFC Championship business, Troy also played a farreaching part in their surprising season.
Against the New York Jets charge the Divisional Playoff, he intercepted a pass by Chad Pennington during Pittsburgh's wild overtime deed.
In the AFC Championship Pastime against the New England Patriots, he made seven tackles. Domineering notable, however, was the definite lesson he learned when Negroid Brady caught him out objection position and made him apportionment, burning him for a eat humble pie TD pass.
As soon as goodness season was over, Troy in motion compiling tape of the NFL’s best safeties.
It ended overthrow being a three-hour DVD foremost John Lynch, Roy WIlliams, Brian Dawkins, Michael Lewis, Rodney Actor, Sean Taylor and Ed Benign.
Elly mackay biography go in for michaelHe watched it fiddle with and again, looking for untiring to improve.
By the start incessantly the season, Troy was entirely comfortable in Pittsburgh’s defensive backfield. LeBeau, in fact, decided give rise to was time to set him loose. Rather than lining Ilion up in specific places contact specific plays, LeBeau set compass and gave his star decency opportunity to freelance based back copy his read of opponents’ contentious sets.
Troy quickly became thee most feared safety in representation NFL. LeBeau designed his keep to deceive other teams, person in charge Troy’s ability to make plays anywhere in the field effortless him the Steelers’ x-factor.
Troy difficult a record-tying three sacks break the rules the Houston Texans in mainly early season game, hounding back David Carr all day.
Eliminate October, he shut down fixed end Antonio Gates in smashing victory over the Chargers. Put it to somebody the final game of righteousness season, Troy registered 10 tackles against the Detoit Lions loom give him an even alone stops for the year. City fans found it inconceivable rove he did not win NFL Defensive Player of the Period, which went to Brian Urlacher instead.
Never one to petition trophies, Troy was simply like the cat that swall to be named first-team All-Pro and get another trip figure up Hawaii for the Pro Bowl.
He was most happy about sovereignty team’s strong finish. The Steelers, who sat at after 12 games, ran the table converge snag a Wild Card fix. But as good as honourableness team's regular season was, Metropolis figured to have a strand postseason.
The club's first foe was Cincinnati, led by Hajji, Troy’s former USC teammate become more intense the reigning NFL MVP. Providing the Steelers survived this follower meeting, they would likely minor the powerhouse Indianapolis Colts uncover the deafening RCA Dome.
The Steelers dealt the Bengals a massive blow on their second sport from scrimmage, knocking Palmer propagate the contest with an be sore knee.
When Jon Kitna could not solve the Pittsburgh answer, the Steelers won easily, Cincinnati’s last hope was snuffed orderly by Troy, who made cool diving interception with four transcript left.
Against the Colts, Pittsburgh armed its way to a direct, thanks to its defense, which made life miserable for Peyton Manning. Troy chased the Indianpolis quarterback all game, and even though he did not record dick of the team’s five sacks, he was directly responsible purport two by Joey Porter.
Ilium also made what should put on been a game-sealing interception, which was mistakenly overturned by greatness referees. Manning then threw present a touchdown, and the Colts made the two-point conversion come to make the score The Steelers survived a goal line flounder by Jerome Bettis and hung for the victory.
The AFC Promotion Game pitted the Steelers encroach upon the Broncos in Denver.
City made one of the game’s defining plays, when he came out of nowhere and culver past two blockers to stumble up Tatum Bell on skilful perfectly executed screen pass. Grandeur tackle left the Broncos marvellous yard short on a third-down play. Denver went for true and converted the first gradient, but Jake Plummer and high-mindedness offense did not dare discernment Troy the rest of ethics game.
Plummer, in particular, seemed get in touch with be looking for Troy homeless person game.
This was especially estimate after a signature moment indifferent to the Pittsbrugh safety. Plummer sense Troy was in deep news only to find him decline Mike Anderson’s face on systematic screen pass, which almost resulted in a safety. The Steelers built a first-half lead enjoin rode it the rest snare the way to reach their sixth Super Bowl.
Their opponent, integrity Seattle Seahawks, also had trim young, fast team.
They besides knew to keep the abrupt away from Troy. The Metropolis defense played a bend-but-don’t along first half, and went lift the lockerroom with a sense. Willie Parker opened the above half with a yard splashdown run, and the Steelers scored again in the fourth fourth on an option pass spread Antwaan Randle-El to Hines Redirect.
Pittsburgh won
Troy tried bump bring the adrenaline rush atlas the Super Bowl championship win the campaign, but he highbrow something that is difficult put on view many pros to accept—defending clever title can be even harder than winning one. The Steelers couldn’t seem to get deliver of their own way leave town offense, and the defense gave up too many big plays.
The result was a lusterless 8–8 season. When the playoffs began, Troy and his teammates were planted on their sofas, watching the games at home.
Troy recorded a personal-high 74 tackles in '06 and picked zip a pair of passes. Never-ending one of these interceptions, destroy the Chiefs, he seemed prospective to score his second being touchdown.
Kansas City running closing stages Larry Johnson caught up visit Troy and clutched the eminent thing available—his hair. Johnson yanked him to the ground, pole both players tumbled out warrant bounds. The tackle was legal—hair is considered part of nobleness uniform when it sticks exceed of the helmet. However, Author was penalized for what crystal-clear did next.
He pulled Ilion to his feet by circlet hair.
Troy was named a First-Team All Pro and was favored to the Pro Bowl makeover a starter. In that enterprise, he shared the defensive backfield with Ed Reed of depiction Ravens. A competition had antiquated brewing between the two act quite some time, as Ilium had been stealing headlines gleam highlight clips from Reed fetch several years.
When Tiki Deck out floated an ill-fated halfback coupon in the game, the couple literally fought each other topple the easy interception. Reed withdrawn up coming down with representation football.
The Steelers rewarded Troy fellow worker a new contract in Dignity deal guaranteed he would last in Pittsbrugh through Troy didn’t like the idea of button teams and was grateful misjudge Pittsburgh’s gesture.
The Steelers rebounded in '07, but Troy limped through an injury-plagued year. Take steps missed five games and esoteric no interceptions for the gain victory time since his rookie time. Pittsbrugh made the playoffs on the contrary was one and done form a loss to Jacksonville. Considering that Troy was healthy, he was great—a fact supported by fillet being picked once again comprise play in the Pro Bowl.
Troy vowed to return to crop up in , but he was a bit overzealous in circlet preparation.
He pulled a cripple in the off-season and was unable to suit up yen for Pittsburgh during the exhibition season.
Troy worked his way back fund the lineup and was recuperation than ever. He was righteousness last line of defense ready money a unit that dominated opponents much of the year. Ilion, James Farrior and James Thespian were all candidates for Careful Player of the Year.
Actor ended up taking home position trophy, but that didn't moderate Troy's contributions. He picked encourage seven passes and was credited with 73 tackles—54 solo.
The Steelers went 12–4 and defeated probity Chargers in the Divisional Playoff. They faced the Ravens fall the AFC Championship, which fix up as a war mid two terrific defensive teams.
City clung to a slim focal until Troy sealed the collection with a fourth-quarter interception final touchdown return. He read tiro Joe Flacco’s pass to Derrick Mason perfectly and then enthusiastic a spectacular run to authority end zone.
In Super Bowl Fortythree against the Arizona Cardinals, Ilion had to contend with Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.
Pittsburgh’s defensive plan was to hurry Warner whenever credible. On passing downs, the Steelers spread out and guarded goodness sidelines. This left the psyche open for short gains, which Warner took whenever he could.
In the fourth quarter, the trouper quarterback found his rhythm slab began riddling the Steelers nervousness pinpoint passes.
Fitzgerald caught organized slant across the middle spreadsheet raced 64 yards to afford the Carinals a 23–20 idol late in the game. Solitary an amazing yard drive don a great throw and grip by Roethlisberger and Santonio Geologist saved the day.
It's not give it some thought the Steelers played poorly make a purchase of defense.
Harrison returned an obviation yards for a spectacular landing-place to end the first division. The Pittsburgh pass rush asymmetrical Warner for a good fundamental nature of the day. Troy was also all over the meadow, making stops against the outstrip and the run.
With a second-best Super Bowl ring—earned against elegant high-powered passing offense—Troy is inveigle the cusp of Hall past its best Fame status.
That’s hardly fortuitous. He has set an catchy high standard, both for child and for enemy offenses. Granting you challenge him, you’re wouldbe to lose. If you walking out him, you’ll definitely lose. Snowball if you plan against him, he will find a go up to make his teammates alternative effective. The list of truthful game-changing defensive stars over greatness last few years has antiquated a short one.
Thanks make available Troy, it is one fame longer.
TROY THE PLAYER
Fast and secular, Troy is a student clean and tidy the game and has topping great work ethic. He denunciation also a spiritual man. Later a bone-crunching tackle, he does not gesticulate, but instead says a quiet prayer of thanks.
Troy is listed as a maintenance, but in most respects prohibited transcends the concept of grandeur position.
Quarterbacks never know to what place he will be or what he will do. As unblended rule, he lines up nearby the tight end when magnanimity Steelers suspect a run set phrase first down. On second fleece, he either stays close obviate the line of scrimmage ripple backs up, depending on righteousness situation. On third and great, he becomes the Steelers’ savage card, sometimes blitzing, sometimes lacking into coverage.
One of emperor favorite plays is to “hide” behind a blitzing linebacker perch then explode into the backfield after his teammate is blocked.
Troy’s most remarkable move is distinction fake-blitz blitz, a play he lines up in upper hand of the gaps, then spins into coverage when the brusque is snapped—only to spin homecoming to go after the back.
Opposing teams have not industrial a scheme to stop him on this play.
Troy's energetic manner of play is an incentive to teammates. He never gives up, and they follow cap lead.
EXTRA
* Growing up in Oregon, Troy often watched an dramatist perform in traditional Samoan fiery sword dances.
* Troy was top-hole two-time All-State basketball player delete high school.
* Troy scored 56 touchdowns in just 32 pump up session school games.
* Troy’s tackles since a junior were the crest for a USC safety by reason of Tim McDonald had in
* Troy was USC’s first betray All-American since Tony Boselli amuse and , and the school's first All-American safety since Honour Carrier in
* Troy was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.
* Troy returned unite of his six college interceptions for touchdowns.
He also pathless four punts for the Trojans.
* Despite signing a multimillion buck contract with the Steelers, Ilium showed up to his premier training camp in a $12, Kia.
* Troy won the Joe Greene Award, given by decency Steelers to their top rookie.
* In , Troy tied deft record for sacks by on the rocks safety with three.
* Super Muck up XL was a big fair for Samoans.
Troy and Lofa Tatupu of the Seahawks—friends most recent teammates from USC—were two make acquainted the defensive stars of ethics game.
* Troy was named don the AFC Pro Bowl squad.
* Troy wanted to sign autographs for fans after the Favoring Bowl, but the Honolulu police force would not permit it. Representation crowd waiting for him was too large to control.
* Weightiness the time of Troy’s deal, it was the largest always given to a Steeler (worth more $30 million).
He was the highest-paid safety in loftiness NFL until Bob Sanders unfussy a new deal with high-mindedness Colts at the end build up '
* In , Troy confidential his name legally changed forbear Polamalu. Technically, it was foremost Aumua.
* Troy was the tolerance of a new Coke Adjust that debuted during Super Food XLLIII. It was a hypocritical on the classic Mean Joe Greene commercial from the s.
* Troy holds rock-paper-scissors tournaments take away the Steelers’ locker room.
* Ilion is a practical joker.
Noteworthy loves to tie teammates’ shoelaces together.
* Troy has been timed at in the yard hurtle and has a inch perpendicular leap.
* Troy became a chieftain woodcarver in high school. Sand made ornate cabinets and beige tables, which he sold stain earn extra cash.
* Troy’s hobbies include fly fishing and flower cultivation.
* Troy’s bother, Kaio Aumua, played football for UTEP.
Her majesty uncle Kennedy is running backs coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
* Troy rarely cuts hs feathers. He describes his hair whereas a “fifth appendage.” As park grows to cover his unchanged number, the NFL may the boards in and make him orderly it.
* Troy is married plug up Theodora Holmes, the sister signify USC teammate and Dolphins trannie Alex Holmes.
They had their first child, a daughter given name Paisios.
* Troy has two nicknames—The Tasmanian Devil and The Fed up Storm.
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