Former Trojan Troy Polamalu Voted Into Pro Football Hall Of Fame
February 01, 2020 | Football, Features
USC two-time All-American Troy Polamalu, regarded as one of the greatest safeties in college and pro football history, was named to the 20-member 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame class today (Feb. 1).
He will be inducted in ceremonies on Aug. 8 in Canton, Ohio.
Polamalu becomes the 13th Trojan player—tied for the most of any school with Notre Dame—in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining Marcus Allen, Red Badgro, Frank Gifford, Ronnie Lott, Bruce Matthews, Ron Mix, Anthony Munoz, O.J. Simpson, Junior Seau, Lynn Swann, Willie Wood and Ron Yary. Former USC assistant coaches Al Davis, Joe Gibbs and Mel Hein also are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
His Centennial Class of 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame classmates include Steve Atwater, Isaac Bruce, Steve Hutchinson and Edgerrin James, who also were named today, along with previously announced inductees Harold Carmichael, Jim Covert, Bobby Dillon, Cliff Harris, Winston Hill, Alex Karras, Donnie Shell, Duke Slater, Mac Speedie, Ed Sprinkle, Bill Cowher, Jimmy Johnson, Steve Sabol, Paul Tagliabue and George Young.
Known for his fearless hitting and flying tackles, Polamalu earned consensus All-American honors in 2002 as a senior at USC and was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award as the best defensive back in the nation. He led the Trojans to consecutive bowl games, including a victory in the 2003 Orange Bowl and an appearance in the 2001 Las Vegas Bowl, where he set a Las Vegas Bowl record with 20 tackles. A two-time First Team All-Pac-10 selection, in 2002 he guided USC to its first 11-win season since 1979, a share of the conference title and a No. 4 national ranking.
A two-year team captain, Polamalu was an All-American and USC's MVP in 2001 and Most Inspirational Player in 2002. The Tenmile, Oregon, native recorded 281 tackles and six interceptions in his four-year career. He led USC in tackles (118) and interceptions (three) in 2001 after topping the team in interceptions (two) and deflections (seven) in 2000. A member of the Pac-12 All-Century Team, he was inducted into the USC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2019.
Polamalu was selected in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers and he spent his entire 12-year career with the franchise, where he posted 770 tackles and 32 interceptions. The 2010 NFL Defensive Player of the Year went to eight Pro Bowls and led the Steelers to three Super Bowl appearances, including wins in Super Bowls XL and XLIII. He is a member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team and the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team. During his NFL career, he earned his degree from USC in 2011.
Polamalu and his wife established the Troy & Theodora Polamalu Foundation, which has raised millions for charity. Paying tribute to his American Samoan heritage, he supports the Fa'a Samoa Initiative, set up a medical clinic in Samoa, and serves on the board of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, of which he is an inductee.
He will be inducted in ceremonies on Aug. 8 in Canton, Ohio.
Polamalu becomes the 13th Trojan player—tied for the most of any school with Notre Dame—in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining Marcus Allen, Red Badgro, Frank Gifford, Ronnie Lott, Bruce Matthews, Ron Mix, Anthony Munoz, O.J. Simpson, Junior Seau, Lynn Swann, Willie Wood and Ron Yary. Former USC assistant coaches Al Davis, Joe Gibbs and Mel Hein also are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
His Centennial Class of 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame classmates include Steve Atwater, Isaac Bruce, Steve Hutchinson and Edgerrin James, who also were named today, along with previously announced inductees Harold Carmichael, Jim Covert, Bobby Dillon, Cliff Harris, Winston Hill, Alex Karras, Donnie Shell, Duke Slater, Mac Speedie, Ed Sprinkle, Bill Cowher, Jimmy Johnson, Steve Sabol, Paul Tagliabue and George Young.
Known for his fearless hitting and flying tackles, Polamalu earned consensus All-American honors in 2002 as a senior at USC and was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award as the best defensive back in the nation. He led the Trojans to consecutive bowl games, including a victory in the 2003 Orange Bowl and an appearance in the 2001 Las Vegas Bowl, where he set a Las Vegas Bowl record with 20 tackles. A two-time First Team All-Pac-10 selection, in 2002 he guided USC to its first 11-win season since 1979, a share of the conference title and a No. 4 national ranking.
A two-year team captain, Polamalu was an All-American and USC's MVP in 2001 and Most Inspirational Player in 2002. The Tenmile, Oregon, native recorded 281 tackles and six interceptions in his four-year career. He led USC in tackles (118) and interceptions (three) in 2001 after topping the team in interceptions (two) and deflections (seven) in 2000. A member of the Pac-12 All-Century Team, he was inducted into the USC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2019.
Polamalu was selected in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers and he spent his entire 12-year career with the franchise, where he posted 770 tackles and 32 interceptions. The 2010 NFL Defensive Player of the Year went to eight Pro Bowls and led the Steelers to three Super Bowl appearances, including wins in Super Bowls XL and XLIII. He is a member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team and the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team. During his NFL career, he earned his degree from USC in 2011.
Polamalu and his wife established the Troy & Theodora Polamalu Foundation, which has raised millions for charity. Paying tribute to his American Samoan heritage, he supports the Fa'a Samoa Initiative, set up a medical clinic in Samoa, and serves on the board of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, of which he is an inductee.
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