A Clueless Brits FIRST REACTION to Troy Polamalu

[@user-os2es4es9y]

I live in Pittsburgh and have had the privilege of speaking with Troy. He is a very soft spoken man and very respectful and spiritual. God bless .

[@izzonj]

The thing about Troy is that a much of a hard hitting beast he was on the field, of of it he was the most gentle, soft-spoken and himble man you could imagine.

[@sandy9064]

One of his former teammates was asked about Troy's instinct for the game. Ike Taylor said at least once a quarter they would tease him that God was talking to him again. His nickname was Baby Jesus.

[@Nottherealaiden]

Watch an interview with Troy he’s the nicest, most sincere, and humble person u will ever see

[@pushpak]

He was a Strong Safety. He retired in 2015. In 2020, first ballot hall of famer.

[@ChatwinReacts]

Thanks for the information🤙🏼

[@johncanby8109]

Troy is just different. There hasn’t been a player before or after him that I would even put in his category. It’s the intensity that he plays with. Even the greatest safeties, Dawkins, Reed, Chance…. I love them all, but Troy was different.

[@Toahhh671]

nah man dont disrespect weapon x like dis ☠ @@johncanby8109

[@aftonforred3685]

Loved his HoF speech

[@Silver_dawgnic104]

He deserves everything he earned. Loved the man’s plays and personality.

[@JFVoodoo]

polamalu CREATED plays. he’s the most dynamic defender i’ve ever seen

[@t0dd000]

Strong safety but given incredible freedom to play the game however he saw fit. He was a truly unique player. I'm not sure there has been another quite like him. At the top of his game win or lose, watching him play was a treat.

[@Tijuanabill]

"Why don't players pull on Polamalu's long hair?" Because that would make him angry. You don't want him angry.

[@joeparga744]

Troy was the beast, my favorite player to watch unbelievable skills. He is retired.

[@94FADE]

Polamalu is definitely the goat. As a steeler fan I miss watching this guy every Sunday 😢. It was so exciting to watch him play cuz he was always doing something crazy and special and he was always near the ball even if he didn’t make a play. He was so much fun to watch and one of the greatest to ever do it. I really do miss watching him on the field. As a fellow samoan as welll he made his ppl proud lol

[@thatoneguy592]

As a Jags fan I miss watching him play every week. I used to root for the steelers as a 2nd team because of him. He was the first of my very short list of favorite players but is easily the top 1. I miss watching him play man.

[@letsgobrandon7297]

@94FADE: We were spoiled for some years having Troy, Big Ben, Bettis, Hines Ward, Ike Taylor, Clark, eventually Holmes and AB, and so many other greats. Crazy only won 3 playoff games since 2011 (1 being handed to us by Cincy two 15 yd penalties on unconverted 4th down to put us in fg range). Steelers desperately need new head coach who’s in Chowers level or higher. People reading this won’t understand cause they somehow think Tomlin is great coach. They don’t understand that Bill Chower took over a horrible Steelers team and built it to contenders almost every year, he had QB’s like Neil O’Donald, Mike Tomsac, Stewart, Tommy Maddox and was still going deep into the playoff most years. Tomlin Took over a SB talented team Stacked….HOF franchise QB entering his prime, one of the best defenses ever with multiple HOF players. That’s the only success he ever had playing with Chowers team. Haven’t been back to SB since that 4th year which is considered the transitional year for the new coach. Bens prime was pretty much wasted, if they hired Bruce or Ken Whisenhunt as HC no doubt they’d have at least two more SB rings. Not to mention he forced Dick out when he had arguably the two best defensives ever in two years between 2004-2008 i believe.

[@anthonyv4090]

Hit the nail on the head. Reads the game on a ridiculous level. He’s retired and in the conversation as one of if not the best Safety to ever play the game. So humble and soft spoken off the field. Tasmanian devil on the field.

[@ChatwinReacts]

Crazy to see how easy he made playing defence I’m going to have to watch more of him

[@matthewirwin6134]

And a Steeler his whole career.

[@oggsherm662]

Yeah Troy Polamalu and James Harrison on the same defense was insane!

[@jeffl.304]

You: “I love this guy.” All Steelers Fans: “Us too.”

[@chadbrisco4042]

Greatest safety in the history of the NFL.

[@MegaMegatroll]

Ed Reed would like a word

[@xMarxDaSpot]

​@MegaMegatroll He can have a word but TP has him beat 3 to 1 in the 4 major statistical categories. Ed had more INTs. Troy had more Tackles, Sacks and Forced Fumbles. And did it in less games.

[@dwag303]

@@MegaMegatroll ed reed had more int that’s basically it

[@duanehellier2147]

As someone above pointed out, Ed and Troy played different positions. Troy - SS (definitively for his first 6 years and given a little more responsibility as he proved himself), Ed - FS. SO, there is a bit of difference. Reed was more pass coverage that could stuff the run really well when needed. Polamalu was more of a run stuffer/TE coverage that could drop back in coverage really well when needed. They were both amazing. As a Steelers fan, I have to hate Ed Reed, but I respect the heck out of his play and athleticism. I think its difficult to compare FS and SS. They are slightly different positions, and both of them dominated their respective positions. Ed Reed had more int because that's what his position called for, and Polamalu had more sacks and tackles because that's what his position called for. As far as forced fumbles goes, SS tend to be stronger. So, that probably played into it a bit. Either way to debate it would be like debating whether rock lobster is better than Maine lobster (or whatever favorite food you have). Sure there is a preference but both are amazing.

[@vogrizzly7124]

Troy was possibly the most unique player ive watched with my own eyes. He was amazing

[@BrianBokor78]

This was dynamic plays but he also hit super hard too

[@tomgardner2638]

I have been watching the Steelers since the early 70's as I was born, raised and still live in Pittsburgh. I have seen their greats like Bradshaw, Lambert, Harris, Mean Joe, LC, Blount, Shell, Lloyd, Big Ben, Woodson, Ward, Swann, Stallworth et al. Troy was special. He was football. He was given a contract extension in 2014 for 3 more years. Before the 2015 season, the Steelers decided they did not want his salary on the books so they told him he either had to retire or he would be released. Other teams were already lining up to sign him, but he was a Steeler and so he left the game. He should have been given a bigger raise in my book and the Steelers got a big black eye over the mess. He was fantastic to watch and he was a humble quiet man. Makes NO sense what they did to one of the absolute best. Still SMH over that one!!

[@Slightlybent]

Yeah, it was disrespectful af the way he was treated at the end

[@HeavenhoundGiuseppe]

Watching Troy play was amazing. He was listed on the roster as a Strong Safety, but that really didn't matter because he was allowed to line up wherever he wanted anyway. He's what you would get if a football player could see half a second into the future.

[@JB09712]

Check out The Pat Mcafee show clip “Pat talks about how Troy Polomalu ruined his life” gives you a good idea of just how instinctive the guy is as a player

[@jakecallen9164]

I don't know if I've ever seen another defensive player able to go from almost standing still to full speed as quickly as Polamalu did. Combined with his vision and instincts for where the ball is and where its going to go he's one of the greatest defensive players of all time.

[@justinevans9283]

My all time favorite player by a mile. The only reason he's probably not unanimously considered the greatest SS of all time is that he played the game differently than anyone ever or since. I met him in the airport once and no joke the nicest, most humble, soft spoken guy.

[@bclap06able]

Ohhh I'm so happy he was on our side lol go stillers!

[@kimberlyianaro3774]

Troy played his entire career with the Steelers for 12 yrs. He's retired and in the HOF. He played free and strong safety..

[@gregcable3250]

On defense there are two safety positions--strong safety--which is what Troy played and free safety. Troy is the best ever strong safety. I believe Ed Reed is the best free safety ever--he played for Pittsburgh's rival, the Ravens, at the same time Troy played. So you could see the best safeties ever when the two teams played. This last touchdown interception by Troy defeated the Ravens (with Ed Reed and Ray Lewis) to send Pittsburgh to the Super Bowl. (I am from Pittsburgh, if you haven't guessed and that stadium in Pittsburgh was rockin' like no where else.

[@petercyprian3096]

Except Troy never got the daylights knocked out of him by a Wide Receiver (Hines Ward). Ward put Reed in his place and that is something you NEVER see a Wide Receiver do!

[@gregcable3250]

@@petercyprian3096 Well, yes, there is that. To be fair, I think Troy outweighed Ed by about 20 lbs. Would have liked to have had them both on the Steelers, but then the rivalry games with the Ravens would not have been as fun. Both are where they belong with gold jackets.

[@petercyprian3096]

@gregcable3250 totally agree- to have both on one team would have just been blatantly unfair to anyone they played. Having them on rival teams just made for damned good smashmouth football!

[@petercyprian3096]

From Butler ;-)

[@elfdogre2181]

Troy was definitely a joy to watch even though I wasn't necessarily a fan of the Steelers.

[@ChatwinReacts]

I can imagine he was like Ronaldo for me in my football don’t like the team he plays for but loved to watch him play

[@namaka808]

you should check his rival Ed Reed, played for their rival Baltimore Ravens. Both of these men are some of the greatest safeties to play the game. Both could hit like a truck an both had such a deep understanding of the game. if you want to see some funny stuff look up how Troy stopped Pat Mcaffee from a TD lol its a funny story on how he just knew the play before it would happen

[@ChatwinReacts]

Ill check him out thanks for the suggestion

[@xxfdxx4500]

As a Pittsburgh steelers fan love seeing these reactions to him because I was blessed to watch him every week some other Steeler players you might like to watch would be James Harrison another elite defender and one of the scariest football players Ben Roethlisberger a hall of fame caliber quarterback who led the Steelers for 18 years Antonio Brown has some of the best highlights of any modern era player and leveon bell another unique player like Troy who was a very special player but this time on the offense

[@chmod1777]

Troy's listed position was strong safety; his actual position was basically "wherever Troy thinks he should be" -- he had unbelievable instincts, and his coaches absolutely trusted him.

[@petercyprian3096]

A lot of awesome comments here and, as you can see, the love and admiration for this man is through the roof! A quick summary: they (teammates) called him Baby Jesus because he was very religious. The guys on defense would come to him after an amazing play and say "you've been talking to Jesus again, huh?". You commented on him having a "feel" for the game- you hit on a key thing that Polamalu spoke of- he said something along the lines of the game has a special rhythm to it, and if you can feel that rhythm and lose yourself in it, that is how you make big plays. The nicest guy on the field- not kidding. Would demolish a player with a vicious tackle and then help a player from the other team get up. One of a kind, never will there be another like him. Thank you for choosing my favorite player of all time!

[@steelersjess]

There was no one like Troy. The best intuition of any player I’ve seen. An eight time Pro Bowler, DPOY, two-time Super Bowl winner, first ballot Hall of Famer and one of the all-time best Steelers. By all accounts, he is just as an incredible person as he was a football player.

[@warrenbfeagins]

I've watched football since 1974. He is THE greatest Safety I have ever seen. He is in the immortal Dick Butkus, Lawrence Taylor and Ray Lewis class of defenders.

[@mapleholler9800]

I never get tired of watching Troy's highlights. They are unbelievable and amaze every time.

[@DaRedeyeJedi808]

If you like Defense them you're gonna love more Steelers around Troy's era like James Harrison,Ryan Clark,Lamar Woodley,Brett Kiesel so many others and than todays era Ryan Shazier,TJ Watt,Minkah Fitzpatrick,Cameron Heyward and others than back in the day with Mean Joe Greene,Jack Lambert,Jack Ham,Donnie Shell,Rod Woodson,Kevin Greene and So Many Old Steelers Legends and HOF

[@PaulDunham68]

I'm a lifelong Steelers fan, 55 years old. Troy P is easily and by far my favorite Steeler of all time. He always made clutch plays. He was so fun to watch because you didn't know when you'd see the greatness, you just knew that you would see greatness. An interception. A sack. A stripped football. You never knew where, because he was EVERYWHERE. Man, I miss him.

[@robertvirnig638]

It is really rare for a defensive player to have enough tremendous plays for a highlight reel like this.

[@SGBassplayer]

The thing to remember about him is that his position is traditionally played deep in the defensive backfield, so the fact that you see so many instances of him making plays in the opposing team’s OFFENSIVE backfield is indicative of football instincts that were really unique unto himself. No other player played the position like him. The (apologies) “soccer” equivalent was probably Franz Beckenbauer at sweeper.

[@davidgraham2673]

What you don't get from these clips, is the timing of WHEN Troy Polamalu nade the plays. He made the plsys very often at a critical point in the game. Sometimes to stop a team driving for the winning points. Sometimes to actually win the game, by returning his interception for the go-ahead touchdown. You always knew we gad a chance yo win with Troy on defense, and Ben Roethlisberger on offense: Which is why you need yo look at Ben Rothlesberger as well. Ben set a still standing NFL record of 13 consectutive wins to start a carreer as a rookie. He's also going to the Hall of Fame. Ben is the only Quarterback ever to have THREE 500 yard passing games, and a ridiculous number of game winning drives, and comeback wins. He was very hard to bring down when he was young, and exciting to watch. You won't regret taking a look at him.

[@simpleman1006]

Hands down the most fun player to watch in NFL history

[@ronclark9724]

Troy played in the NFL 2003-2014 with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

[@kimberlyianaro3774]

Yes, troy de-cleated more than a few! He's a safety, and he's one of a kind!!

[@torricraig3762]

❤he was an amazing player 😊

[@matthewirwin6134]

Some of these plays actually make me laugh. What a beast. The timing and intelligence are insane. He doesn't get enough talk in the freak athlete category.

[@mrjamfy6862]

His jersey is still worn every Steeler game in my house! 😁

[@rhondafortenberry7127]

Troy played Strong Safety. He was one of the greatest to play the game. He is retired and in the Hall of Fame. Always exciting to watch him play. A true GOAT.

[@kierstonstorm3541]

Not only was(is) tLTJE BEST SAFETY in NFL history... He IS, to this day, one of THE NICEST (mild mannered), cordial & spiritual people EVER!!! I MISS SEEING ON THE FIELD!!! He will, FOREVER, be (one) of The MOST AMAZING & BELOVED Man, in FOOTBALL AND STEELERS HISTORY!!! 💯✨🖤💛🏈😎🤘🏻🙏🏻

[@jackhaugh]

The thing about Troy was that he was not only a gifted athlete, he had an incredibly high football IQ. He wasn’t necessarily given an assignment on any given play, he was allowed to freelance, read the offensive play, and make his own decision on how to stop that play. What a lot of people don’t realize is that he was an incredibly devout Christian, prayed before every single play, and can be seen making the sign of the cross constantly during games. I used to go to Steelers training camp constantly in the summer leading up to the NFL season. It rained really hard before one practice session, and Troy came out of the dormitory where the Steelers were staying, and signed autographs for all the kids he could for one hour before practice that day. No one else did. He’s that sort of guy.

[@j.richardmoore5865]

I've been a major Steelers fan for over 45 years. We've had many amazing players in that span, but Troy was no only a once in a generation player, but a once in a lifetime player. We were blessed to have him and the only Steeler to have a statue in his honor here in Pittsburgh. Inasmuch, he is a soft spoken l, humble man of God

[@mikebunner3498]

Troy had So much Fun playing safety... He was a true stud of a football player!!! He had so much FUN playing.............. And yes he is retired!

[@kamakoa]

Let's go💪 Troy Polamalu cheehoohooo rare players

[@letsgobrandon7297]

Best strong safety to ever play. Dude was a ball hawk….remember always watching a running back get a pitch outside and look like he had open field than Troy would fly into frame of tv and make a tackle for a loss. He would pray before and after every single play while on defense and on side lines for the offense. Nicest person you would ever meet, I heard somewhere that he never lifted weights (and seems legit cause he didn’t have muscle tone). If i was making an all time fantasy team my first pick for defense would be Troy.

[@SteelyMcBeam420]

My all time favorite player

[@jrjennings6074]

He’s from American Samoan 🇦🇸🇺🇸

[@jwestphal1978]

My favorite old school player who announced the play the first time you paused! Steve Tasker! He played just like this! Steve Tasker 114 plays is worth watching what the NFL use to be along with Devin Hester are both worthy watches

[@aftonforred3685]

I like listening to his teammates taln about him, especially Ryan Clark.

[@mikebunner3498]

Keep an eye peeled for the wild man with the hair coming out of his helmet. Troy was so much fun to watch. Troy was a safety! Troy is retired these days. It could cover the entire field!! Troy studied truck loads of film. He was a student of the game. At one point, Troy's hair was insured for one-million dollars. May I suggest that you review Barry Sanders. He was a running back that his moves had moves.

[@alanmassimo2698]

Like many Steeler greats , he played his whole career at Pittsburgh....He was so fun to watch...

[@_J3RK_]

It was so much fun watching him play

[@MichaelRivera-ns2dd]

One of the greatest to ever play the game!

[@sandy9064]

Loved watching Troy. It was a sad day in. Pittsburgh when he announced his retirement. Other fun players to watch are Jack Lambert and Hines Ward...both controversial players, but deeply loved by Steelers fans. Also, some stuff Jack did back in the day is no longer legal in today's NFL. He played in the 70s and early 80s.

[@ThisReactiverse]

Sticks and stones may break your bones, but a Samoan will fucking kill you lol

[@MR-pc9jd]

Troy for the win, you're not going to find anyone with more intuition, athleticism, knowledge or heart. You need to watch him in an interview to really appreciate how he was on the field and how he is in life

[@antwuangraham7764]

Troy position is Safety so he’s responsible for pass plays down field. His understanding of the opposing team’s offense is intuitive that the coach lets him play where ever he wants to. Most of the plays you’re watching where Troy stops runs or making plays in the backfield, he’s out of position. That means if he doesn’t make that play he’s going to get burnt for a big play by the other team.

[@HarisCameronRyalls]

A good way to tell if a player is still playing or not is the jerseys. Nike started making the jerseys from 2012 onwards. So if all their highlights are in reebok Jerseys they’ve most likely retried now

[@weaverbee2808]

If you like Troy check out another member of the Steel Curtain Defense, James Harrison. An absolute BEAST on the field, Defensive Player of the Year, UNDRAFTED!!!

[@mikebunner3498]

You are pronouncing Troy's name perfect, good job man....

[@ToEuropa]

There's no denying it. Dude's a Jedi.

[@NorthernGoshawk]

Polamalu was a SS who was known for his range, vision, power, and willingness to take risks based on extraordinary dedication to film study. This allowed him to play anywhere on the field. (I know this is a late comment, but it's the truth. XD)

[@soggysundai7773]

what happened when he caught the ball was troy was on defense and the ball was thrown past him to an offensive player, however troy caught the ball before it got to its intended target. This is called an interception or a "pick", hope this helps :)

[@danjohnson2986]

Ray Lewis. Must watch his highlights. Savage. And his motor was ALWAYS running.

[@JFVoodoo]

he played at a time where there were sooooo many hall of fame defenders. look at ray lewis if you want to see big hits. ed reed of you want to see polamalus rival

[@duanehellier2147]

If you haven't already, you need to check out Barry Sanders. He was amazing. And Calvin Johnson aka Megatron

[@Denver_Kline1995]

he retired around 2015 i think and his whole career was with the steelers. he was the best safety of his time

[@tampadawg5607]

His teammates called him Baby Jesus. Bc they joked God spoke to him before the play so he knew where to go. 😂

[@Tijuanabill]

Soccer fans: Is that legal to hit people like that? This Rugby fan: **Ear to ear grin**

[@mikebunner3498]

A great choice Troy was a football STUD. His hair was insured for 1 million dollars. Troy was a strong safety... A damn good one!!!! Troy plays with joy. To him it is FUN, plain & simple!!!! He retired in 2015... I have a suggestion of another NFL great for you to watch and that is Lawrence Taylor. He was an outside linebacker. A master at pass rushing.... He is in the Hall of Fame. A very intense ball player.. I think you will like his video..... Another was a middle linebacker -- for the Chicago Bears Dick Butkus. He too is Hall of Fame.

[@mikejohnson7562]

Check out James Harrison line backer for the steelers or Ray Lewis linebacker ravens

[@Alex.Kaleipahula]

Hey mate your first pronunciation was correct on his name and he is Samoan🎉

[@davidculp6266]

In the time that it takes a normal athlete to decide he needs to be in a particular place, Polamalu is already half way there.

[@pjkammer6801]

Maybe the most fun player to watch ever.

[@jessemeechan7689]

Troy helped lead the steelers to be one of a few teams to have 6 superbowl wins

[@edc8909]

Definitely one of the top 10 STEELERS of all time and that's saying ALOT.😮

[@dames313]

He is the greatest strong safety of all time 💪

[@brianjenkins1933]

THE GOAT

[@paulscott4958]

Hines ward is my all time favorite

[@edc8909]

PAT MCAFEE, "GET OVER IT "😂

[@christopherlauter9403]

You have to check out Barry Sanders, the greatest running back ever to put on pads.

[@drsus0]

"what position is he then?" yes

[@mcrib8330]

They called him baby Jesus for a reason

[@poprun2347]

you should do a legion of boom reaction they were the best defence

[@Hurley164]

Best defense over the 2000 Baltimore Ravens? Fudge on out of here

[@jasonnelms4556]

Watch his hardest hits. The most feared man at his position of his generation. Listen to the story of Pat McAfee C-gap story. McAfee was a kicker and it's hilarious. McAfee a huge show on KZbin and is on ESPEN all the time.

[@billsultzbach7079]

Now you need to check out Barry Sanders, after that Walter Payton after that Lawrence Taylor after that Reggie White after that Deion Sanders

[@jeffrichards1537]

Yes he played whole career for the steelers. They would have been ignorant to trade him or release him.

[@BrendaAgosta]

Hero.

[@MegaMAWG]

Being from Pittsburgh, I've bled black and gold my whole life. My wife is from Detroit but this man made her a Steelers fan for life. Best of the best.

[@jadenwalker2052]

He's not my favorite, but a definite top 5 player in my list is Dante Hall.

[@pushpak]

9:56 Yes

[@jamieyant1999]

As Tomlin likes to say the 2010 defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers is responsible for the player safety initiative.

[@jamieyant1999]

He was drafted by the Steelers and remained a steeler till he retired I had the privilege to watch him his whole career and meet him throughout it too. We Bleed Black and Gold! Pittsburgh native here he is the greatest strong safety ever.

[@kierstonstorm3541]

UNFORTUNATELY, he's retired!!! I believe Troy Polamalu, AKA, THE FLYIN' HAWAIIAN, was/is THE BEST SAFETY EVER!!! He was a BEAST!!! 💯✨🖤💛🏈😎🤘🏻

[@pbstinebiz2459]

Scrolling through the comments…I’m sure there are haters out there, but I don’t see a single negative comment. Raven’s fans might argue Ed Reed was better, and there’s a fair a debate to be had, but they still respect Troy.

[@CheesiestCheesehead]

Did you do Ray Lewis ? He goat lb