Posted on 01/27/2009 11:32:02 PM PST by malkee
Don't retire those Troy Polamalu jerseys just yet. Yes, the Steelers safety legally changed his name Wednesday, but the move won't impact the name emblazoned on the back of the popular No. 43 jersey. Polamalu -- who was legally known as Troy Benjamin Aumua -- changed his name to Troy Aumua Polamalu, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported on its Web site. The name change became official when Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Judith Friedman signed a court order during a hearing attended by the football player. The defensive back out of Southern Cal has gone by Polamalu for the past 15 years, the newspaper reported, and both his driver's license and social security card list the name. Polamalu is his mother's maiden name, the Tribune-Review reported. His parents divorced shortly after he was born in Orange County, Calif., according to the petition he filed requesting the name change.
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.espn.go.com ...
Bad omen-—go with Arizona.
You can’t read the name on the back of his jersey anyway, with all that hair hanging out.
I’d like to see someone tackle him by grabbing that hair and dragging him down. Technically it wouldn’t be a horse-collar, but a flag would probably be thrown. Upon further review, it might be overturned.
Oh, the drama!
OK, someone tell Junior to change his, too.
Seau, Jr.
The Steeler fans have been chanting “Hair we go Steelers hair we go” all this time. Go Steelers.........
I am an NFL junkie. 54 years old and have followed the NFL since age 10. Never, Never, Never, have I seen a player that is all over the field and provides defensive fear into every quarterbacks like Polamalu.
OK ... maybe I am exaggerating a bit .. he may not be the only one that has ever played the way he does. I seriously doubt anyone can name me 4 players from the last 50 years that share his talent, smarts and sheer athleticism.
I am a big fan of Kurt Warner. But ... he is going to have to be very careful Sunday. Polamalu is live and well.
Go Stillurs!!!
The NFL ruling was that a player can have his hair hanging out beyond their helmet but another player grabbing it would be a legal tackle. Most put hair gel in theirs so all a would be defender will get is a hand full of grease.
The Chiefs' Larry Johnson took him down after an INT, saving a TD.
#3 all-time in INTs (#1 in the modern era), NFL Record 1,483 career interception yards, NFL Record 12 interceptions returned for touchdowns, NFL Record for a defensive back Pro Bowl nominations (11), NFL Record 3 fumble recoveries in a game (tied with 11 others).
I don’t like the Steelers that much, but canappreciate the greatness that the organization has maintained.
Woodson is one of the greatest. Polamalu should one day be giving a speech at Canton.
Whoever crafts the bust that they put in the Hall is gonna have fun deciding how much of that hair to show!
Go Lions.........in 2038!!!
“...I’d like to see someone tackle him by grabbing that hair and dragging him down....”
Someone already has done that. A couple of years ago, after the NFL ruled that one’s hair can be used to bring down a player, Troy intercepted a pass and was running for daylight. An offensive player caught up with him and, with both hands, grabbed two hands full of Troy’s har and brought him down like a roped cow. It was great to see it. And it was ALL legal.
bttt
He is very impressive to watch in person. What Polamalu can do, which is most impressive, is drop back in a zone coverage and from 20 yards downfield get to any receiver on the field while the ball is in the air. All the DB's have to worry about is the go route. Polamalu can cover anyone coming out of the backfield or any post routes. Bob Sanders, when he plays, is the only other down field safety (I have seen in person) which has near the same "read, react, close" speed.
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