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With the legendary Pittsburgh Steeler Troy Polamalu announcing Dick LeBeau to be his speaker at his Hall of Fame enshrinement, Steeler Nation pondered on his greatness and it all brought back memories. From jumping snap counts, making clutch interceptions, or showing off his superhuman instinct to blow up offense’s plays, Troy’s career was a highlight reel we can all appreciate. Today, I look at my top 3 plays of his career that stuck out the most.
Credit: Bleacher Report
Picture it… The Steelers-Ravens at the peak of its rivalry. The Ravens had already beaten the Steelers in Heinz Field. This game was for control of the AFC North race. The Steelers couldn’t afford to beat swept. With a Steelers offense that had struggled all night (Ben Roethlisberger’s broken nose said it all), the Ravens needed just a few more first downs to ice the game… and control of the AFC North for the first time since 2006.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, you saw the Head and Shoulders insured hair creep up to the line of scrimmage. Almost simultaneously, the ball is snapped and Polamalu flew into the backfield untouched. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco tried to get the ball out to his right but was too late—Polamalu swiped the ball out of his grasp from his blind side. Steelers recover and three plays later, the Steelers took the lead and never let up.
Credit: USA Today
Sorry, I know I tried to only look at 3 specific plays, but how can you not include all three of these?? Troy had a knack for making plays that awed the fans but were simply expected by his teammates. In 2008, he had two one-handed picks that were snatched off of a tipped pass *inches* before it hit the turf. In 2009 he traumatized Titans WR Kenny Britt by fighting through an obvious OPI and reeled in a one-handed pick. These plays were all incredible displays of his athleticism. Seriously. I don’t know many capable of making these types of plays.
Credit: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
4th quarter. Steelers up only 16-14. What a great story the Ravens had in their hands. A rookie head coach and quarterback with a chance to beat their rivals after being bullied by them all day—and all season. Flacco could be the man to send the Ravens back to the Super Bowl for the first time in 8 years. The crowd is anxious but rocking on 3rd and 13 with 4:40 to go. Flacco takes the snap, the rush comes in… throws it to his right… and as Jim Nantz commentates:
“Picked off Polamalu!
Polamlu going right, the field is open!
Aaron Smith shields Flacco, Polamalu takes it home!
Super Bowl 43! Pittsburgh might be bound for thanks to number 43!”
Legendary.
Credit: Steelers.com
This one is personal. It was my first Steelers game ever. I was in the corner of the end zone and saw Titans quarterback Kerry Collins go to the line of scrimmage. Troy crept up… and flew over the top as the ball was snapped. Everyone was in disbelief. He wasn’t flagged and put Kerry on the ground. Even Kerry was stunned. As Solomon Wilcox said in the broadcast… You can’t coach that!
What are some of your favorite moments from Troy Polamalu? Comment below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
Credit: Bleacher Report
3. 2010 Strip Sack vs Ravens on SNF
Picture it… The Steelers-Ravens at the peak of its rivalry. The Ravens had already beaten the Steelers in Heinz Field. This game was for control of the AFC North race. The Steelers couldn’t afford to beat swept. With a Steelers offense that had struggled all night (Ben Roethlisberger’s broken nose said it all), the Ravens needed just a few more first downs to ice the game… and control of the AFC North for the first time since 2006.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, you saw the Head and Shoulders insured hair creep up to the line of scrimmage. Almost simultaneously, the ball is snapped and Polamalu flew into the backfield untouched. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco tried to get the ball out to his right but was too late—Polamalu swiped the ball out of his grasp from his blind side. Steelers recover and three plays later, the Steelers took the lead and never let up.
Credit: USA Today
2. The one-handed interception(s) 2008/2009
Sorry, I know I tried to only look at 3 specific plays, but how can you not include all three of these?? Troy had a knack for making plays that awed the fans but were simply expected by his teammates. In 2008, he had two one-handed picks that were snatched off of a tipped pass *inches* before it hit the turf. In 2009 he traumatized Titans WR Kenny Britt by fighting through an obvious OPI and reeled in a one-handed pick. These plays were all incredible displays of his athleticism. Seriously. I don’t know many capable of making these types of plays.
Credit: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
1. The 2008 AFC Championship Pick-6
4th quarter. Steelers up only 16-14. What a great story the Ravens had in their hands. A rookie head coach and quarterback with a chance to beat their rivals after being bullied by them all day—and all season. Flacco could be the man to send the Ravens back to the Super Bowl for the first time in 8 years. The crowd is anxious but rocking on 3rd and 13 with 4:40 to go. Flacco takes the snap, the rush comes in… throws it to his right… and as Jim Nantz commentates:
“Picked off Polamalu!
Polamlu going right, the field is open!
Aaron Smith shields Flacco, Polamalu takes it home!
Super Bowl 43! Pittsburgh might be bound for thanks to number 43!”
Legendary.
Credit: Steelers.com
Honorable Mention: Super Polamalu
This one is personal. It was my first Steelers game ever. I was in the corner of the end zone and saw Titans quarterback Kerry Collins go to the line of scrimmage. Troy crept up… and flew over the top as the ball was snapped. Everyone was in disbelief. He wasn’t flagged and put Kerry on the ground. Even Kerry was stunned. As Solomon Wilcox said in the broadcast… You can’t coach that!
What are some of your favorite moments from Troy Polamalu? Comment below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
