The man in Pittsburgh known for the big hair and even bigger hits is officially hanging his cleats up.
According to the Harold Standard, Troy Polamalu called Steelers owner Dan Rooney last night to inform him that he was retiring after a 12-year NFL career. The team had tried to urge Polamalu to retire earlier this year and the eight-time Pro Bowler refused, but changed his mind over the holiday weekend after a visit to church.
“Thirty-three is obviously significant because of Christ being 33; and 12 years, 12 apostles,” he said. “I’m not superstitious by any means but I always thought that if I played 12 years and retire from football at 33 and give my life and give my body and give my blood to this game, I think that would be a pretty significant landmark in my life.”
The safety had been plagued by injuries in the second half of his career and missed four games last season with yet another knee injury.
Polamalu retires as an eight-time Pro Bowler, four-time first-team All-Pro, two-time Super Bowl winner and winner of the Defensive Player Of The Year award in 2010.
(Via Herald Standard)
