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ROSTER
Troy Polamalu #43
POSITION: SS
HEIGHT (WT): 5-10 (207 lbs.)
BIRTHDATE: 4/19/81
NFL EXP: 7
COLLEGE: Southern California
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43 TROY POLAMALU

 

PRO (88-72/10-10): Has developed into one of the NFL’s top safeties...was first-team All-Pro selection in 2005 and 2008...has been selected to the past five Pro Bowls (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)...was named to the Associated Press’ and Pro Football Weekly’s All-NFL team in 2005... also earned spots on the Sports Illustrated’s, Sporting News and PFW/PFWA’s All-Pro teams...named to the AP’s second-team All-Pro squad in 2004...is a ferocious hitter with excellent speed...assumed the starting strong safety position in 2004...recipient of the 2003 Joe Greene Award, given to the team’s top rookie...drafted by the Steelers in the first round (16th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft...Steelers traded their first-round pick (27th overall), third-round pick (92nd overall) and sixth-round pick (200th overall) to Kansas City for the Chiefs’ first-round pick (16th overall), which was used to select Polamalu...was named to the Steelers’ 75th Season All-Time Team during the 2007 season...signed a five-year contract during the 2007 offseason to keep him with the team through 2011.

 

2008 (16-16/3-3): Started all 16 regular-season games for the first time in three seasons...AP All-Pro first-team...AFC Pro Bowl starter...AFC Defensive Player of the Week and GMC Sierra Defensive Player of the Week in Week 2 after registering six tackles (four solo), one interception and one pass defense in a victory at Cleveland...PFW/PFWA All-NFL...PFW/PFWA All-AFC...The Sporting News All-Pro...Sports Illustrated All-Pro...Pro Football Weekly Midseason All-Pro...finished fourth on the team with 87 tackles...finished with 11 postseason tackles (seven solo) and two pass defenses... his 40-yard interception return for a score against the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game was the first of his postseason career and the first postseason interception return for a touchdown in team history...9/7 vs. Houston: Made his 57th career start at SS...registered four solo tackles...recorded his 11th career interception, and his first since October 26, 2006, when he picked off Matt Schaub in the second quarter,  leading to a Hines Ward touchdown reception and 21-0 Steelers’ lead...9/14 at Cleveland: Made his 58th career start at SS...finished with six tackles (four solo) and one pass defense...recorded his second interception of the season as time ran out in the second quarter to end a potential Browns scoring drive and Returnedit for 12 yards...9/21 at Philadelphia: Made his 59th career start in his 75th career game at SS...finished with five tackles (four solo)...his third quarter interception marked his third consecutive game with an interception...9/29 vs. Baltimore: Made his 60th career start...finished with eight tackles (seven solo) and one pass defense...10/5 at Jacksonville: Made his 61st career start at SS...finished with six  tackles (two solo)...key contributor in a secondary which limited the Jaguars to only 175 yards net passing... 10/19 at Cincinnati: Started his sixth consecutive game at SS...finished with five solo tackles...left the game early due to a head injury...10/26 vs. New York Giants: Made his seventh consecutive start at SS...finished with four tackles (two solo) and one pass defense...11/3 at Washington: Made his eighth consecutive start at SS...finished with three tackles (two solo) and two pass defenses...11/9 vs. Indianapolis: Made his 65th career start at SS...finished with five tackles (four solo) and one pass defense...11/16 vs. San Diego: Made his 10th consecutive start at SS... finished with three solo tackles...recorded his fourth interception of the season on the game’s opening drive and returned it four yards...11/20 vs. Cincinnati: Made his 11th consecutive start at SS...finished with eight tackles (six solo)...tied a career high with his fifth interception of the year, which he returned for 19 yards late in the fourth quarter to secure the victory... 11/30 at New England: Made his 12th consecutive start at SS...finished with six tackles (four solo) and had a team-high three pass defenses...established a career high when he recorded his sixth interception of the season in the fourth quarter by picking off a Matt Cassel pass and returning it 23 yards...12/7 vs. Dallas: Made his 13th consecutive start at SS...finished with a season-high 10 tackles (seven solo)... recorded his NFL-best seventh interception of the season...extended his streak to a career-high four consecutive games with an interception...12/14 at Baltimore: Made his 70th career start at SS...finished with two tackles (one solo) and one pass defense...12/21 at Tennessee: Made his 15th consecutive start at SS...finished with nine tackles (four solo)...12/28 vs. Cleveland: Made his 16th consecutive start at SS... finished with three tackles (two solo) and had one pass defense...AFC Divisional Game 1/11 vs. San Diego: Made his eighth consecutive postseason start at SS...finished with four tackles (three solo) and had one QB pressure...AFC Championship Game 1/18 vs. Baltimore: Made his ninth consecutive postseason start at SS...finished with five tackles (four solo) and two pass defenses...had a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter...was his third career postseason interception, and his first for a score...was the first postseason interception return for a touchdown in team history...Super Bowl XLIII 2/1 vs. Arizona: Made his 10th consecutive postseason start...finished with two assisted tackles and one pass defense.

2007 (11-11/1-1): Started 11 games and the playoff game against Jacksonville…missed the Seattle game in Week 5 due to a rib injury…missed Weeks 12-14 with a knee injury…earned his fourth straight trip to the Pro Bowl (missed game due to injury)…named Associated Press All-Pro Second-Team…finished fifth on the team with 74 tackles…finished third on the team with 12 pass defenses…tied for second with a career-high three forced fumbles while also recording a fumble recovery…added two tackles in the playoff loss to Jacksonville...9/9 at Cleveland: Started at SS and had two solo tackles and three pass defenses...9/16 vs. Buffalo: Started in his fourth consecutive game…registered four solo tackles...9/23 vs. San Francisco: Started at SS and led the team with seven solo tackles…also had one quarterback hit and one defensed pass...9/30 at Arizona: Started at SS, but only saw action on 30 snaps due to an abdominal injury…still managed to log two solo tackles and three passes defensed…also caused Edgerrin James fumble and had a recovery on a Larry Fitzgerald fumble…10/7 vs. Seattle: Was inactive due to a rib injury...10/21 at Denver: Returned to his starting role at SS and made his 50th career start…logged 56 defensive snaps…led the team with nine solo tackles…part of a defensive unit that allowed Denver running backs to gain only 54 rushing yards...10/28 at Cincinnati: Started at SS and logged 52 defensive snaps…tied for first on the team with nine solo tackles…also registered one pass defensed...11/5 vs. Baltimore: Played in the 68th game of his career and started at SS for the 52nd time of his career…was second on the team with seven solo tackles…forced his second fumble of the season that led to a Pittsburgh TD…part of a defensive unit that allowed the Ravens only 104 total yards, with 64 coming on the ground and 40 yards by air…the Baltimore offense managed only five first downs all night...11/11 vs. Cleveland: Made his 53rd career start and saw 55 defensive snaps…finished the game with six solo tackles and a team- tying two passes defensed…part of a defensive unit that allowed only 163 total yards, including 40 rushing and 123 passing yards...11/18 at N.Y. Jets: Played in his 70th career game and saw action on 73 defensive snaps…led the team in solo tackles with seven...11/26 vs. Miami: Was inactive due to a knee injury...12/2 vs. Cincinnati: Was inactive...12/9 at New England: Was inactive...12/16 vs. Jacksonville: Made his 55th career start at SS…finished the game with a team-high (tied) 10 tackles (seven solo) and had one pass defensed...12/20 at St. Louis: Made his second consecutive start after returning from a knee injury and saw action on 60 defensive plays…finished the game with a team high 11 solo tackles, one pass defensed and one caused fumble on Rams’ running back Stephen Jackson...12/30 at Baltimore: Was inactive...AFC WILD CARD 1/5/08 vs. Jacksonville: Registered his 7th consecutive postseason start at SS…finished the game with two tackles.

2006 (13-13): Played and started 13 games at strong safety…earned his third straight trip to the Pro Bowl, including his second consecutive start…finished the season with 82 tackles, third on the team…added one sack and a team-high (tied) three interceptions…also forced one fumble…named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 6…9/7 vs. Miami: Recorded a team-high 10 tackles (seven solo)…also recorded a pass defense and a forced fumble…sealed the game with a late fourth-quarter interception (eighth of his career) of Daunte Culpepper…logged 60 plays…9/18 at Jacksonville: Started at SS and recorded three tackles (two solo)…recorded one pass defense while logging 71 plays…played in his 50th career game…9/24 vs. Cincinnati: Recorded five tackles (four solo) while logging 57 plays…10/8 at San Diego: Registered five tackles (four solo) while logging 72 plays10/15 vs. Kansas City: Recorded a team-high nine solo tackles and one pass defense…logged 54 plays and grabbed his second interception of the season, returning it 49 yards…was recognized as the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts10/22 at Atlanta: Recorded a team-high nine tackles (seven solo) and a pass defense in 72 snaps…recorded his team-leading third interception on the year off a Michael Vick pass…10/29 at Oakland: Recorded eight tackles (six solo), including two tackles for loss…started at SS and logged 52 plays...held the Raiders to 17 yards passing…11/5 vs. Denver: Recorded one solo tackle and logged 54 snaps…11/12 vs. New Orleans: Logged only 14 snaps before suffering a concussion…did not return…recorded two solo tackles before his concussion…11/19 at Cleveland: Logged 62 plays and recorded seven tackles (six solo), one sack and two pass defenses…almost single handedly got the Steelers the ball back trailing 20-17 with 4:10 left after forcing Cleveland to punt following a three-and-out…sacked Cleveland QB Charlie Frye on first down, recorded a tackle on Jason Wright on second down and recorded a pass defense on a pass intended for Kellen Winslow on third down…the Steelers got the ball back and scored the game-winning touchdown…11/26 at Baltimore: Had a team-high 10 tackles (tied) and eight solo before leaving the game with a sprained knee in the fourth quarter…added one quarterback hurry/pressure and logged 51 snaps…12/3 vs. Tampa Bay: Was inactive due to a knee injury, missing the first game his career…12/7 vs. Cleveland: Was inactive due to a knee injury…12/17 at Carolina: Was inactive due to a knee injury…12/24 vs. Baltimore: Started at SS after missing the three previous games with a knee injury…had a game-high (tied) eight tackles (five solo)…12/31 at Cincinnati: Recorded five tackles (four solo) in 56 plays.

2005 (16-16/4-4): Was a first-team All-Pro selection…named to his second straight Pro Bowl, earning his first start…finished with a personal-best 100 tackles to rank third on the team…had three sacks, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions…tied an NFL record for safeties by posting three sacks at Houston in Week 2…tied for the team high with 24 postseason tackles…had one interception in the playoffs (AFC Wild Card Game)…had four games with 10 tackles…9/11 vs. Tennessee: Started at strong safety…played 49 defensive snaps…recorded three solo tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery…9/18 at Houston: Played 58 defensive snaps…tied an NFL record and set a team record with three sacks in a game from the safety position…registered three solo tackles, defensed one pass and recorded one quarterback pressure…9/25 vs. New England: Played 74 defensive snaps…recorded four tackles (three solo), registered two quarterback hurries/pressures and a pass defense…10/10 at San Diego: Led the team with 10 tackles (nine solo)…helped limit Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates to 61 yards receiving…took 62 snaps…10/16 vs. Jacksonville: Recorded seven tackles (six solo) while playing 74 defensive snaps…also had two quarterback hurries/pressures and a pass defense…10/23 at Cincinnati: Logged 57 snaps and totaled five solo tackles…also had a pass defense…10/31 vs. Baltimore: Logged 75 snaps and finished with a game-high 10 tackles, including six solo…11/6 at Green Bay: Logged 69 plays and recorded seven tackles (six solo)…also recovered two fumbles, one he returned 77 yards for his second career touchdown…11/13 vs. Cleveland: Had six tackles (five solo) on 55 plays…had a quarterback hurry/pressure in which he hit Trent Dilfer, causing Dilfer's pass to be intercepted by Joey Porter…11/20 at Baltimore: Had a game-high 10 tackles (nine solo)…logged 82 snaps and one quarterback pressure/hurry…11/28 at Indianapolis: Tied a game high with nine tackles (seven solo) and his second interception of the season…returned the interception a career-long 36 yards to set up the team's only touchdown of the game…logged 62 plays and added one pass defense…12/4 vs. Cincinnati: Recorded three solo tackles and two passes defensed on 65 snaps…12/11 vs. Chicago: Recorded three tackles (one solo) and one pass defense while logging 57 snaps…12/18 at Minnesota: Started at SS and recorded five tackles (four solo) on 53 plays…12/24 at Cleveland: Logged 51 plays…registered five tackles (four solo) and one pass defense…1/1 vs. Detroit: Led team with 10 solo tackles while logging 60 plays…defended one pass and forced one fumble…AFC Wild Card Game 1/8 at Cincinnati: Recorded six tackles (four solo), one tackle for a loss, one-half sack, one interception and one defensed pass…interception was second of his career in the postseason and was returned four yards and then pitched to FS Chris Hope who ran an additional five yards before being tackled…AFC Divisional Game 1/15 at Indianapolis: Recorded seven tackles (two solo) and two passes defensed…had an interception overturned following a controversial replay challenge…teamed with Clark Haggans to tackle Edgerrin James at the two-yard line to prevent a Colts touchdown…AFC Championship Game 1/22 at Denver: Tied for second on the team with six tackles (five solo)…Super Bowl XL 2/5 vs. Seattle: Started at SS and recorded five tackles (four solo).

2004 (16-16/2-2): Named to his first career Pro Bowl…finished tied for second on the team (with Chris Hope) during the regular season with 97 total tackles (66 solo)…9/12 vs. Oakland: Finished with seven total tackles (four solo)...9/9 at Baltimore: Made play after play on defense and helped hold Ravens' running back Jamal Lewis to 62 yards…led the team with 14 tackles (10 solo)...9/26 at Miami: Recorded his first pro interception and returned it 10 yards…finished with six total tackles (four solo)…also was credited with one pass defense…played all 61 defensive snaps...10/3 vs. Cincinnati: Scored the first TD of his pro career on a dramatic interception, which he returned 26 yards to seal the Steelers' victory...his second interception in as many weeks…finished with six total tackles (five solo)…also was credited with two passes defensed...10/10 vs. Cleveland: Finished with four total tackles (two solo)…also was credited with one quarterback hurry/pressure and one pass defense…logged all 59 defensive plays...10/17 at Dallas: Registered seven total tackles (six solo)…was credited with two passes defensed…played all 63 defensive snaps...10/31 vs. New England: Finished with three total tackles (two solo)…was credited with one pass defense…played all 55 plays…also one solo special teams tackle...11/7 vs. Philadelphia: Led the team with six total tackles, all solo…played 37 defensive snaps...11/14 at Cleveland: Produced the first multiple interception game of his career…finished with two interceptions, giving him a team-high four for the season…also recorded five total tackles (four solo)...11/21 at Cincinnati: Finished with five total tackles (two solo)…was credited with one pass defense…played all 46 defensive snaps...11/28 vs. Washington: Made some big hits once again…finished with seven total tackles (six solo)…logged all 56 defensive snaps...12/5 at Jacksonville: Registered six total tackles (four solo)…also was credited with one pass defense and one special teams tackle…played all 66 defensive plays...12/12 vs. N.Y. Jets: Increased his team interception lead to five with a nifty first-quarter pick that set up the Steelers' first score of the game…returned the interception 22 yards…finished with nine tackles (five solo) and a pass defense...12/18 at N.Y. Giants: Registered six total tackles (four solo)…was credited with two passes defensed and two special teams tackles (one solo)…logged all 48 defensive plays...12/26 vs. Baltimore: Collected four total tackles (two solo)…also was credited with a quarterback hurry/pressure…played all 54 defensive snaps...1/2 at Buffalo: Registered his first sack of the season (for seven yards), the third of his career, in his limited action…played 12 defensive snaps...AFC Divisional Playoff 1/15 vs. N.Y. Jets: Registered the first postseason interception of his career…returned it 14 yards…finished with seven total tackles (four solo)…also was credited with a pass defense...AFC Championship Game 1/23 vs. New England: Finished with seven total tackles, including six solo stops.

2003 (16-0): Came on strong at the end of the season…earned his way into the Steelers' pass defense and emerged as a top special teams player…led the team with 25 special teams tackles (14 solo)…finished with 29 total tackles (16 solo) and two sacks…also was credited with three passes defensed and one forced fumble...10/26 vs. St. Louis: Finished with four total tackles (three solo)…also was credited with a quarterback hurry/pressure and one pass defense…played 41 defensive snaps...11/23 at Cleveland: Finished with four total tackles (two solo)…also was credited with a team-high four special teams tackles (three solo) and three quarterback hurries/pressures…11/3 vs. Cincinnati: Played 54 defensive snaps...registered his first career sack…played 29 defensive snaps…finished with four total tackles (all solo)...12/21 vs. San Diego: Registered his second career sack and first career forced fumble that was recovered by Deshea Townsend and led to a Steelers' TD…finished with two total tackles (one solo)…also was credited with one pass defense and three special teams assists.

COLLEGE: Was a three-year starter who became the Trojans' first two-time All-American since Tony Boselli (1992, 1994)...was one of three finalists for the 2002 Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top defensive back…recorded 278 tackles with 29 stops behind the line of scrimmage, six interceptions (returned three for touchdowns), 13 pass deflections, two fumble recoveries and four blocked punts during his career. 2002: Voted All-American first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report, Associated Press, Walter Camp, Football News, CBS Sportsline and ESPN, earning second-team honors from The Sporting News during his senior season…was one of three finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award…All-PAC-10 Conference first-team choice…was a team captain and recipient of the team's Most Inspirational Player Award and Co-Lifter Award…started every game except against California…finished third on the team with 68 tackles (53 solo), including three sacks and nine stops for losses…intercepted one pass and deflected four others. 2001: Was a Football  Writers Association, The NFL Draft Report and College & Pro Football News-Weekly All-American first-team selection, adding second-team by the Associated Press and third-team recognition from Football News…also was an All-Pac-10 Conference first-team pick…was a team captain and USC's first All-American safety since Mark Carrier in 1989…also won USC's MVP Award…led team with 118 tackles (79 solo), including 13 for losses (with a 2-yard sack) and six passes defensed...had a team-best three interceptions, including two run back for touchdowns…also had two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery (to set up a TD), three blocked punts and three punt returns for 27 yards (9.0 avg)…his 118 tackles were the most by a Trojan safety since Tim McDonald had 140 in 1986. 2000: Received All-Pac-10 honorable mention honors as a sophomore…started all 12 games at strong safety…finished second on the team in tackles with 83 (including 5 for losses), plus he tied for the team lead in both pass deflections (7) and interceptions (2). 1999: Played regularly as a backup safety and linebacker as a freshman...appeared in eight games, making 12 tackles, including two sacks for 28 yards, forced two fumbles, broke up a pass and blocked a punt...majored in general studies.

PERSONAL: Attended Douglas (Ore.) High School...named to 1998 Super Prep All-Northwest, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100 and All-Far West League second team as a senior...played running back and defensive back...averaged six touchdowns a season...was an All-State center fielder and twotime All-League basketball player...brother, Kaio Aumua, played football at UTEP...is the nephew of former USC fullback Kennedy Pola (1982-85), now the Jacksonville Jaguars’ running backs coach...has another uncle, Al Pola, who played football at Penn State...has a cousin, Nicky Sualua, who was a running back with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys and attended Ohio State...is also the cousin of Leie Sualua, who was a defensive lineman at Oregon; and Joe Polamalu, who played for Oregon State in 1987 and 1988...is the son of Suila Polamalu...has one brother, Sakio Aumua, and three sisters, Tria Aumua, Sheila Aumua and Lupe Aumua...grew up with cousins Joe Polamalu, Darren Polamalu and Brandon Polamalu...lives in Tenmile, Ore...married to Theodora Polamalu with one son, Paisios...Full name: Troy Aumua Polamalu.

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