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Polamalu retires after 12 years

Anyone in their mid-40's has been truly blessed to be a Steelers football fan. The championships and all of the great players we have had the chance to watch play. It's a sad day but I sure hope there will be many more of these kind of sad days when a Steelers great retires and hopefully as a Steeler.
The last ten seasons have been a great run overall. I am 54 and blessed to have been around for the 70's and today. Still, it's kind of the same feeling now as in the early 80's when all the guys from the 70's teams retired or were released. Who's left with 2 SB rings and been in all 3? Ben, Heath, Deebo, Greg Warren. I think that's all.
 
The last ten seasons have been a great run overall. I am 54 and blessed to have been around for the 70's and today. Still, it's kind of the same feeling now as in the early 80's when all the guys from the 70's teams retired or were released. Who's left with 2 SB rings and been in all 3? Ben, Heath, Deebo, Greg Warren. I think that's all.

I think Greg Warren was on injured reserve one year not sure if gets the super bowl ring or not but he did not get to play in it if I recall correctly. His replacement went from moving furniture to playing in the super bowl, he is likely back to moving furniture or something similar.
 
Sorry to see you go Troy ...thanks for all you did in 12 years..u are the silent face of this franchise Thanks for knowing it was the end and walking out on your own terms ..class to the end .
 

.......................


Thanks for the vids Supe, hadn't seen these. We were there, and so close to him crowd surfing on us. At the end of the NFL Films 2008 season in tribute of the Steelers, they show the crowd dive and we can pick ourselves out. No one else can. We were there and about 20 yards from where he last dove into the crowd. My son was riding my shoulders at the time. You can barely tell from these pictures :)

These pictures were on Fox Sports the next day. My son, riding my shoulders, is circled. It'll hurt your eyes to find it :)

Troy1_zpsn10mkj6a.jpg


Troy_zpsgzoeo8vr.jpg
 
The last ten seasons have been a great run overall. I am 54 and blessed to have been around for the 70's and today. Still, it's kind of the same feeling now as in the early 80's when all the guys from the 70's teams retired or were released. Who's left with 2 SB rings and been in all 3? Ben, Heath, Deebo, Greg Warren. I think that's all.

Heck, how many are left from the last Super Bowl winner? The last Super Bowl.....

Really significant players from even the Packers game -- Ben, Heath (Pouncey hurt), Timmons ... a lot of turnover....
 
Man, time flies.. I remember his rookie season running over Carson Palmer and thinking to myself, "I'm watching a HOFer." It's an end of an era, he was a great great football player and seems to be a greater person. I wish him the best and I thank him for all the memories and retiring in Black and Gold!

Steeler Nation Salutes you, Troy.

This took place in his second season.
 
One memory sticks out in my mind. It was against the Colts on MNF, Curtis Painter was their QB, i want to say it was 2011 or 2012 which ever year Manning was hurt and it was his last year. Troy blitzes out of the slot above the LT, Harrison is crashing in from the other end. Painter wants to get rid of it but just as he goes to throw Troy leaps over a blocker, spread-eagle, with his arms extended like he is signaling a TD. Painter is forced to pull the ball back down and just as he does, Deebo nails him from his blindside jarring the ball lose. Troy scoops it up and races to the endzone.
 
so many great plays over the years....first ballot Hall of Famer
 
Never forget the Troy diving interception that wasn't in the 2005 playoffs against the Colts. That game was a freakin' roller coaster.

Thanks for many fine memories and being the inspiration for a great takeoff on a Muppets jingle. POLA-MA-LU!
 
It's hard to believe he played for 12 years here. Time sure does fly by. He made some of the most memorable and highlight reel plays to last a lifetime. He may have lost a few steps the last few seasons, but it will be strange not seeing #43 on the field. He was a true great Steeler. We were lucky to have had the chance to watch him play in Pittsburgh.
 
Troy's "tape" aligns with the other Steeler Hall of Famers.

Like Ron Burgundy....I have personally watched them all play...In fact, some of which was up close and personal. I was a vendor at 3 rivers in 78 & 79 as a teenager, which have given me Pirate and especially Steeler memories that I will always cherish..

There is only one other active Steeler whose "tape" already aligns with the other Steeler HOF'ers...

And that is Big Ben..
 
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One of the best to ever lace them up. I for one understand how lucky I am to have been able to watch him represent my favorite team with dignity and class.
 
Heard of Troy's retirement on the radio yesterday, on my drive to work. What a great player, and an incredibly significant reason for the 2005 and 2008 Super Bowl victories. He was amazing both seasons.

It is so easy to forget that despite absolutely freaking dominating the Rats at Heinz Field in the 2008 AFC Championship game, the Steelers were leading just 16-14 before Troy ends the game with his pick-6.

I also see that many member of Steeler Nation share my idea of giving Troy some love via the avatar.
 
Not a Billick fan but he said Troy is a slam dunk first ballot HOF'er. I would have to agree. He was one of a kind at his position. I can't think of anyone that comes close to playing like he did. His highlights are just unbelievable.
 
Enjoy retirement, Troy, you've certainly earned it. Class act all around.
 
End of an era... We traded up to get Troy and he was everything we hope for, great player, great guy, great steeler. He belongs in the pantheon of the Steeler greats. I'd say go with God troy but you always have. Steeler nation salutes you!
 
iive been listening to pittsburgh sports radio since Troy retired, fans, media, etc talking about their favorite troy plays and when troy became troy, most say 2008 around there, but does no one else remember the couple big plays in 05 AFCC game at Denver?
swing pass out of the backfield and troy is there before the RB could set his feet and almost gets him for a safety, then on a 3rd and 2 or 3, swing pass again, denver has two OLinemen infront to block, Troy splits the blockers, one knocks him off balance and Troy makes an off balance tackle and stops them a yard short.
 
Amazing player, better person. Quiet, humble and never even heard one negative story about him in his entire career which is almost impossible in today's information/ tabloid news cycle. Had some rocky health, not sure if he trained as well as he should have in the off season (only possible knock against him). He should be in basically anyone's top ten Steelers all time IMHO.
 
iive been listening to pittsburgh sports radio since Troy retired, fans, media, etc talking about their favorite troy plays and when troy became troy, most say 2008 around there, but does no one else remember the couple big plays in 05 AFCC game at Denver?
swing pass out of the backfield and troy is there before the RB could set his feet and almost gets him for a safety, then on a 3rd and 2 or 3, swing pass again, denver has two OLinemen infront to block, Troy splits the blockers, one knocks him off balance and Troy makes an off balance tackle and stops them a yard short.
He was what I call an eraser. A guy would get the ball in a good position to get 7-8 yards easy and he would just appear in the TV picture and eliminate the play for like -2 - 3 yards.
 
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