The Pittsburgh Steelers could never get enough of Troy Polamalu, who proved his skills time and time again in every single game. After 12 years of thrills and spills, he has become a name not easily forgotten in the National Football League (NFL). His flawless skills earned him a place with the Steelers in the first round of the 2003 NFL draft. Troy’s story about his humble beginnings and his rise to popularity is what every aspiring American footballer needs to hear. Here are some lesser-known facts about the talented footballer.
Who is Troy Polamalu?
He was born Troy Aumua Polamalu on April 19, 1981, in Garden Grove, California, as the son of his parents. It took a short vacation before the player fell in love with the Oregon area, where he would eventually receive his education. He attended Douglas High School in Oregon and was a member of the football team. His impressive skills accompanied him to the Tacoma Western News Tribune Western 100, the Super Prep All-Northwestern team, and the second team in the All-Far West League despite the injury. After making a name for himself in high school, he went to the University of California on an athletic scholarship and demonstrated his skills for the USC Trojan football team.
Polamalu’s influence was felt more strongly in the team from his second year until he left school. He was named captain of the team in his junior season and led them to victory on many occasions. By the end of his senior season on the team, he had scored 278 tackles, 29 tackles for a defeat, 6 interceptions, 4 blocked punts, and 3 touchdowns.
Troy suffered an injury that caused him to miss several games, including the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine in March 2003, but he continued to be ranked as one of the most promising players in the security field by the National Scout Combines and BLESTO. Polamalu was voted 16th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He then signed a five-year, $12 million contract for the team on July 28, 2003. Troy, who made his professional debut with a 34-15 opening victory over the Baltimore Ravens, finished the rookie season with 38 combined tackles.
ALSO READ: Salma Hayek Dating History: Her Past Boyfriends and Ex-Lovers
The following year (2004), the Steelers named him the 2005 Pro Bowl after he finished the second season with 96 combined tackles, ten passing shots, five interceptions, and one touchdown in 16 games and 16 stars. Troy, who became more or less indispensable to the team, received a four-year contract extension on 23 July 2007 at a price of $30.29 million with a $15.37 million guarantee, making him the highest-paid safety in the league. However, he lost that title on December 27th of the same year when Bob Sanders of the NFL Safety Division signed a five-year contract for $37.5 million with a $20 million guarantee.
In 2008, he was voted by experts as the AFC’s strongest security and was named to the 2009 Pro Bowl. Troy, out of 296 active players in the NFL, was ranked 9th among the dirtiest players in a 2010 Sports Illustrated survey. His contract was extended to four more years in 2011, and he continues to set records for the team. Polamalu retired in April 2015 to focus on his family.
Who are The Wife and Kids?
Polamalu may be the most outgoing on the pitch, but outside of his job he is a traditional family man who values marriage and family. He is married to Theodora Holmes, with whom he entered into a marriage in 2005. The couple has two sons: Paisos, born in 2008, and Ephraim, born in 2010.
Polamalu and his family are Orthodox Catholics who seriously practice the doctrine of their faith.
What is His Net Worth?
Troy Polamalu reached an enviable financial level before he retired and continued to earn more in retirement. His security rests on the net worth of $30 million, which is quite reasonable for a man of his caliber. Polamalu, whose contract has been extended up to three times, has accumulated such an enviable fortune over the course of his career due to his profound skills that have taken him to greater heights.
ALSO READ: Mitchell Trubisky Bio, Height, Weight, Body Stats, Family, Girlfriend
Troy signed a $30.19 million contract extension in July 2007 with a $15.37 million guarantee. But that’s not all, his unparalleled skills earned him another $36.4 million contract extension in September 2011 with a $10.55 million guarantee. These contributed significantly to the NFL player’s income, who also made some lucrative investment deals.
Where Is He Now?
Questions were asked about the efforts of the former Steelers, who retired after 12 seasons with the team in 2015. Polamalu has retreated into his peaceful shell and is spending more time with his family. The legendary player is also very involved in charity work.
