Troy Polamalu Wrote A Beautiful Letter To Steelers Nation On What It Means To Be A Steeler
The Steelers announced last week the five new members they'll be inducting into the Steelers Hall of Honor in 2020 including James Farrior, Greg Lloyd, Mike Wagner, Dwight White, and of course, the great Troy Polamalu.
Polamalu took to his Facebook page on Monday to release a statement on what it means to be a Steeler and thanking the Rooneys for including him in the honor. Much like watching Polamalu play football, the post was a thing of beauty.
He thanks Ike Taylor, Bill Cowher, Coach Tomlin, Joey Porter, and of course the Rooney family.
Here's a little bit of what he had to say:
"To be a Steeler is to consider others before you consider yourself. To protect your brother, even from himself, to give support, even at your expense, when wearing black and gold suit of armor, make sure nobody desecrates or disrespects it, most importantly we ourselves don't dishonor it. One of the best saying I've ever heard from previous legends who have donned the black and gold is, "You could have played with us."
We know that to be true without a doubt.
When I showed up to my first day in my brand new Range Rover because I was a Trojan from LA before I became a Steeler, I never thought Pittsburgh would be my home. In fact I called my agent Marvin Demoff during my predraft visit to Pittsburgh on a dreary cold and rainy night asking to make sure I never go back. Now, I'm blessed to be in the Hall of Honor, confirmation that enduring the struggles to emulate players before me is worthwhile. Thank yinz."
My favorite Steeler of all-time. Thank God his agent and the Steelers didn't listen to him.
Troy Polamalu - a Pittsburgh Steeler for life and a member of the Hall of Honor.
Right where he belongs.