"Steelers safety Troy Polamalu traded his helmet and shoulder pads for a cap and gown Friday, as he graduated from the University of Southern California.

"I'm officially a USC graduate!" he wrote on his website, troy43.com. "The majority of top picks in the NFL get drafted before they complete their college education. I truly love football, and it's such an immense blessing and privilege as an athlete to be given the rare opportunity to use those talents at the highest professional level, but it's certainly not a replacement for an education."

Polamalu, who majored in social sciences/history while at USC, announced he was starting a Student of the Year Award in which he encouraged educators to nominate students for recognition. Polamalu will select three "truly outstanding" students — one each at the elementary, junior/senior high school and college levels — and send them a signed jersey. For details, go to troy43.com."