Troy Polamalu retired after 12 seasons Thursday, capping off a spectacular career spent exclusively with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Many will inextricably link Polamalu's career to his former Baltimore Ravens counterpart Ed Reed, but this isn't the forum for that. Without recognizing Polamalu's singular talent, anything else would just be banter.
Polamalu diagnosed the game with a preternatural calmness that mirrored his off-field demeanor. Watching the eight-time Pro Bowler at the line of scrimmage was an art in and of itself. Gifted with unrivalled football intelligence and recovery speed, Polamalu disguised blitzes better than any safety in modern history, and was able to take risks that ordinary players simply couldn't fathom. Although he excelled at delivering crushing blows in the open field, Polamalu played with an elegance that simply couldn't be replicated.
"I couldn't find a weakness in Troy, and that's a true blessing from a defensive coordinator's standpoint. He just kind of opens the playbook to anything you want to do. It's just a matter of how far off the diving board you want to go," Polamalu's long-time defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said of him in 2010 to ESPN's James Walker.
Polamalu's single greatest quality was making it seem like he was everywhere, without directly drawing attention to himself. Off the field that was certainly true, as some people may remember him most for being the Head and Shoulders spokesperson. Entering a new stage of his life, Polamalu may share the same business acumen of another USC-bred legendary safety, Ronnie Lott, who made a fortune after football.
The 33-year-old possesses a library's worth of outstanding plays that Steelers fans will never forget. Polamalu's 40-yard interception return of Baltimore's Joe Flacco for a game-sealing touchdown in the 2008 AFC Championship Game propelled the Steelers to the Super Bowl. One of his signature plays was to hurdle the offensive line and track down a startled running back behind the line of scrimmage.
Polamalu captured 2010 Defensive Player of the Year honors after playing 14 games, won two Super Bowls, and was named to the 2000s All-Decade Team. However, Polamalu's lasting impact transcends mere accolades. A new generation of safeties such as Seattle Seahawks' Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor, Minnesota Vikings' Harrison Smith and Miami Dolphins' Reshad Jones all mimic elements of Polamalu's game, notably in run support and in blitz packages.
With due apologies to Ben Roethlisberger and Brett Keisel, Polamalu is one of the last links to the Bill Cowher era, and was one of the foundational players in bridging the gap between Cowher and incumbent head coach Mike Tomlin, winning a Super Bowl with each of them. Pittsburgh sports an illustrious history of producing phenomenal defensive backs, but Polamalu will be in rarefied air along Mel Blount.
Soon, Canton will beckon for Polamalu. For now, all we can do is enjoy what a marvellous, influential talent he was to the modern age of defensive football.
