Untitled Page

Troy Polamalu News & Rumors

Can't ignore models at Super Bowl
"Perhaps some of you have heard of my friend, Troy. He runs around like a crazy man, smacks the crap out of people, and gets paid millions to do it. Like me, the dude takes special care of his hair. Take a look at the photo. Cool, huh? As much as I try to keep the blond spikes in order, this Troy guy has me beat with his black locks."
Polamalu, Pouncey, Roethlisberger ready to go
"Maurkice Pouncey will play Sunday against Cleveland, while Ben Roethlisberger and Troy Polamalu likely are to join him in the starting lineup for the regular-season finale. Pouncey (ankle) went through a full practice for a third consecutive day Friday and said he will start against the Browns. "I know for a fact that I am playing," Pouncey said. Roethlisberger worked through his third consecutive day of practice without any complications from a high ankle sprain and is expected to start Sunday. However, he wouldn't confirm his status after practice yesterday. "I don't know," Roethlisberger said. "We'll see. Go ask Mike Tomlin." Polamalu (knee) practiced yesterday for the first time this"
3 Steelers chosen Pro Bowl starters
"Three Steelers will start for the AFC in the Pro Bowl and two players made the team for the first time although it's an all-star game they hope none of them will get to play. Five Steelers made it. Safety Troy Polamalu, center Maurkice Pouncey and wide receiver Mike Wallace are starters for the Pro Bowl that was announced Tuesday by the NFL. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger made it as a backup as did Antonio Brown as a kick returner. The game will be played Jan. 29 in Honolulu, which again will eliminate the opportunity for those on the two Super Bowl teams to participate."
Steelers' Polamalu, Woodley ready to go against Bengals
"As expected, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (concussion-type symptoms) and linebacker LaMarr Woodley (hamstring) will start Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, reports NFL Network's Stacey Dales, according to a league source. Both players were listed as probable on the team's injury report Friday. Woodley hasn't played since Oct. 30, while Polamalu was injured this past Sunday against Kansas City but practiced on both Thursday and Friday."
Polamalu unlikely to change his ways
"Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu said he is aware of the medical research involving concussions and understands his style of play could be responsible for his recent head injuries. He also said he is probably under a lot more scrutiny than most because of his history of concussion-related injuries, including two in the past six games. But he said he "absolutely" can't dwell on that when he is on the playing field and is doubtful he will change the aggressive and explosive style of play he exhibits in a game. "I don't know if it's possible, at this point, to change a style of play," Polamalu said. "That's the case for anybody in the NFL, even regarding the rules and fines that we have [for"
Tomlin 'confident' Polamalu will play Sunday for Steelers
"Troy Polamalu has no symptoms of a concussion and coach Mike Tomlin said today he is "confident at this juncture" that he will play for the Steelers Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. "All things are positive," Tomlin said of Polamalu, who must still pass concussion tests later in the week in order to play."
Steelers to update status of safety Polamalu
"The Steelers provided no update Monday on Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu, who exited the game early Sunday night with what coach Mike Tomlin said were "concussion-like symptoms." Polamalu appeared to lobby the coaches to go back into the game but was rebuffed. "We just wanted to err on the side of caution," said Tomlin, who will update Polamalu's status today at his weekly news conference. "That's why we didn't let him return to the game.""
Polamalu confident that turnovers will come for Steelers
"The Steelers have just four takeaways through nine games, and strong safety Troy Polamalu is mystified as anyone as to why the defense hasn't been more opportunistic. "The saying goes (turnovers) come in bunches, and we're just waiting for that time to come and hopefully it comes soon," Polamalu said. The Steelers registered 20 takeaways through their first nine games in 2010. They had five in two games last season against the Bengals, whom they visit today for a 1 p.m. game. "I know a lot of people get caught up in turnovers or run defense or pass offense or whatever it is," said Polamalu, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year. "Whatever can get us out of games winning is the most"
Steelers' Woodley will not play Sunday; Polamalu and Farrior listed as probable
"Linebacker LaMarr Woodley will miss his second game in a row with a hamstring injury when the Steelers play the Bengals on Sunday in Cincinnati. Woodley has not practiced since he was injured against the New England Patriots Oct. 30 and has already been declared out of the game by Coach Mike Tomlin, along with wide receivers Emmanuel Sanders (knee) and Arnaz Battle (hamstring). Woodley is expected to return after the bye week. However, Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu returned to practice today and will start against the Bengals, as will inside linebacker James Farrior, who has missed the past two games with a calf injury."
Faulk, Chung fined - but not Polamalu
"In this week's edition of "The NFL System of Fines is Absurd," we bring you this: The Patriots' Kevin Faulk and Patrick Chung were each fined $7500 for misdeeds in the game against the Steelers - Faulk drew his fine for a chop block, and Chung for a facemask penalty. Both standard. However, Pittsburgh S Troy Polamalu - who tackled Wes Welker to the ground by his head and twisted his helmet nearly 90 degrees and injured Welker's neck to the point where he missed one day of practice this week and was limited for the other two - was not fined."
Keep an eye on Polamalu
"At 30 years old, Troy Polamalu is playing as well as ever. The Pittsburgh Steelers safety has been banged up in recent years, but his performance hasn't suffered. Just ask coach Bill Belichick. "Wasn't he the defensive player of the year last year? You're making it sound like he doesn't do anything. He's one of the top defensive players in the league," Belichick said yesterday as the Patriots get set to travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers on Sunday. "He's a dynamic player that can affect any play that you run — run or pass, inside, outside, short, deep."
Polamalu hit with $10,000 fine for sideline phone call
"Steelers safety Troy Polamalu was fined $10,000 by the National Football League for talking on a cell phone while sitting on the bench during the game against Jacksonville, the league announced Friday. Mr. Polamalu borrowed a cell phone from a team trainer Sunday to let his wife know he was OK after leaving the game against the Jaguars with concussion-like symptoms. League rules state: "possession of cell phones, [personal digital assistants] or other electronic equipment in the bench area during a game is strictly prohibited by league policy beginning 90 minutes before kickoff through the end of the game." Mr. Polamalu said he had no comment on the fine when approached Friday inside"
Polamalu fined $10,000 for cell phone use during game
"Steelers safety Troy Polamalu was fined $10,000 by the NFL today for talking on a cell phone while in the bench area during the Steelers' 17-13 victory against Jacksonville on Sunday. Polamalu said he had no comment on the fine when approached today inside the team's locker room after practice."
Steelers safety expected to play this week
"The Steelers expect to have one of their most indispensable players Sunday when they visit Arizona. All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu is likely to play against the Cardinals after passing a concussion test. "We anticipate him practicing (Wednesday) and moving on throughout the week like everyone else on our football team," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly news conference. "He met with our neurosurgeons, and they are very comfortable with where he is." Polamalu, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, left last Sunday's 17-13 win over Jacksonville after taking out the legs of Maurice Jones-Drew and stopping the Jaguars running back for no gain."
Polamalu cleared to play Sunday in Arizona
"Troy Polamalu passed a concussion test this week and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said today that he is "good to go" for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals. He expects last season's NFL defensive player of the year to practice Wednesday."
Steelers' Polamalu pulled for safety reasons
"Strong safety Troy Polamalu made one of the plays of the game Sunday for the Steelers, then left for good because of concussion-like symptoms. Polamalu injured himself while taking out the legs of Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew on third-and-1 with 9 minutes, 36 seconds left in the game. The injury is not believed to be serious, and coach Mike Tomlin said after the 17-13 win that the Steelers held out Polamalu because they "wanted to err on the side of caution." Polamalu, who stopped Jones-Drew short of a first down, did not address the media after the game. In other injury news, starting left guard Doug Legursky left at the beginning of the second quarter with a dislocated"
Steelers' Polamalu showed concussion-like symptoms after hit
"Pittsburgh Steelers star safety Troy Polamalu was sidelined during the fourth quarter of Sunday's 17-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars due to concussion-like symptoms, according to coach Mike Tomlin. Polamalu was injured while making a hit on Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew on a third-and-1 play. He left the game after that play, and spent the remainder of the game standing on the sideline with his helmet on. Tomlin updated Polamalu's status after the game."
Steelers' Taylor, Polamalu fined
"Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and cornerback Ike Taylor each were fined $15,000 for illegal plays Sunday in a 35-7 loss at Baltimore. Polamalu was fined for an illegal horse-collar tackle on Ravens running back Ricky Williams and Taylor was fined for unnecessarily head-butting a Ravens player. Both plays drew penalties."
NFL fines Polamalu $15,000
"Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu briefly scuffled with Ravens running back Ray Rice on Sunday. But that isn't what proved to be costly for the six-time Pro Bowler. The NFL fined Polamalu $15,000 for making a horse-collar tackle in the Steelers' 35-7 loss to the Ravens, a league source said. The tackle came late in the third quarter at the end of a 26-yard run by Ravens running back Ricky Williams."
Scuffles with Ravens may cost Taylor and Polamalu
"Officials kicked no one out even though two of them hit the turf while Ravens and Steelers battled after play ended. But some of them can expect the fines to roll in this week. Take Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor . He was penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct after he head-butted Ravens tackle Michael Oher . Or Troy Polamalu , who was involved in pushing and shoving with some Ravens who looked as though they were trying to bring him down around his ankles after a play."
Steelers, Polamalu agree to new four-year deal
"The Steelers concluded a busy offseason with an 11th-hour signing of one of their best and most recognizable players. The team agreed to a four-year contract with strong safety Troy Polamalu, locking up the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year through the 2014 season. "I'm happy to say I will retire a Pittsburgh Steeler!" he wrote on his Twitter account Saturday. Polamalu, 30, signed his new contract at Pittsburgh International Airport before the Steelers flew to Baltimore."
Polamalu signs new 4-year contract
"The best two safeties in the NFL -- Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed -- will be at M&T Bank Stadium today when the Steelers open their regular season against the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers have ensured they will keep Polamalu, the 2010 NFL defensive player of the year, around much longer. Beating by one day their own self-imposed deadline of not negotiating player contracts once the regular season begins, the Steelers signed Polamalu to a four-year, $36.5 million contract that includes a $10.55 million signing bonus -- a deal that averages $9.1 million annually and makes Polamalu the highest-paid safety in the NFL."
Steelers get Polamalu, Harrison vs. Ravens
"Steelers linebacker James Harrison and strong safety Troy Polamalu played only sparingly during the preseason. But Tomlin expects both to log far more playing time at Baltimore. "I imagine (Harrison) is sandbagging," coach Mike Tomlin said when asked if Harrison's two offseason back injuries will limited his playing time in the season opener. "James Harrison likes to play." Tomlin added that right cornerback Ike Taylor had the pin removed Tuesday from his left thumb, which was broken in the exhibition opener at Washington."
Negotiations with Troy Polamalu ongoing
"The Steelers have been negotiating with the agent for safety Troy Polamalu over the past several days, an 11th-hour attempt to sign the NFL defensive player of the year before the season begins Sunday. Polamalu is entering the final season of his contract, and their previous discussions this summer with agent Marvin Demoff went nowhere and stalled. After the Steelers signed linebacker Lawrence Timmons to a six-year, $50 million contract two weeks ago, they decided they could do no more extensions until after the season. Last week, however, team president Art Rooney had a change of heart and decided to give it one last shot. Polamalu is scheduled to earn $6.4 million in salary this year,"
Safety Polamalu, Steelers in holding pattern
"Within a span of three weeks, the Steelers handed out more than $138 million in contracts to their second-ranked defense, and the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year didn't get one cent. Troy Polamalu will become an unrestricted free agent following the season if the Steelers don't get a deal done with the three-time All-Pro safety within the next two weeks. And with the Steelers so close to the salary cap this year, Polamalu likely will have to wait until after the season to get a long-term deal. Either way, Polamalu isn't talking specifics. "I'd love to be here; I'd love to retire a Steeler," Polamalu said. "All comments regarding the contract stay between the Steelers and my"
Essex's return is worth weight for Steelers
"Veteran offensive lineman Trai Essex returned to the Steelers on Tuesday and revealed that he came close to eating himself out of football. Essex, the last of the Steelers' unrestricted free agents to sign with a team, said he dropped a "significant amount" of weight before signing a one-year contract. The 6-foot-5 Essex, who is listed at 324 pounds, did not give a specific figure as to how much weight he had lost. "A couple of newborn babies," Essex said. Essex said the Steelers realized how much bigger he had gotten when he attended quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's wedding in late July. "They see there's a huge different between now and then," Essex said. "I had to take a look at myself"
Harrison, Troy back as anchors
"There was a whole lot to like about the Steelers' first-teamers in the 24-14 domination of Philadelphia's self-proclaimed Dream Team Thursday night, not least of which was Ben Roethlisberger in peak playground form, the Rashard"
Polamalu is looking like his old self again
"It didn't take long for Troy Polamalu to look like the player he was last season before he injured his Achilles tendon. In his first appearance since the Super Bowl, Polamalu looked like the 2010 NFL defensive player of the year with a number of dazzling plays in the first half of a 24-14 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles. The highlight was an interception of a tipped Michael Vick pass in which Polamalu weaved his way for a 36-yard return, holding the ball one-handed and looking as if he wanted to lateral before eventually being tackled low by Vick. The interception set up Byron Leftwich 's 20-yard touchdown pass to new receiver Jerricho Cotchery that made it 21-0 with 12"
Polamalu and Harrison to play
"After sitting out the first preseason game last week, Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu and Pro Bowl outside linebacker James Harrison will play Thursday night against the Philadelphia Eagles at Heinz Field. It will be Polamalu's first chance to test his rehabilitated Achilles tendon in a game, even though the 2010 NFL defensive player of the year acknowledged the real test won't come until the regular season begins Sept. 11. "I felt fine for the little sprinting I have done in practice, but game tempo, game speed is the only real test," Polamalu said Tuesday."
Polamalu, Smith reaching expiration dates
"Refreshing sports notes: The calling card of the lazy columnist. Sorry, but I'm tired. I had to be on a movie set at 7 a.m. Saturday. *Now that the Steelers' have signed LaMarr Woodley to a well-deserved big-money deal, who stays and who goes? James Harrison has reached his sell-by date every which way he can. He gets cut after this season. Lawrence Timmons gets paid. But what about Troy Polamalu? Despite his excellence, injuries make extending him a risk. But would the Steelers let him walk? * Everyone roots for Polamalu. Same with Aaron Smith. Exceptional players, exceptional men. But what's their over/under for games played this year? * If Willie Colon stays healthy, he'll be the"
A tough call: Timmons over Polamalu
"Troy Polamalu or Lawrence Timmons? Say it comes down to one or the other. Say the Steelers can do a long-term contract extension with only one before the start of the season. Say they have to risk losing the other as a free agent after the season. What's your call? What would you do if you were Steelers brass Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin? You have to give the new deal to Timmons, right? Timmons is 25, on the verge of becoming an NFL star. His combination of speed, strength and explosive power at inside linebacker is extraordinary. He is the future of the Steelers' defense along with outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley and defensive ends Ziggy Hood and Cameron Heyward. He has to be the top"
Steelers turn focus toward Polamalu contract
"With LaMarr Woodley's contract done, the Steelers will turn their efforts toward signing safety Troy Polamalu to a long-term deal. Polamalu, who will become an unrestricted free agent following the season, signed a 5-year, $33 million deal in 2007 that made him the highest paid safety in the league at the time. "My only comment is, because I know things can really get misconstrued a lot, is that everything regarding our contract talks will stay between the Rooneys and my agent," Polamalu said. "Other than that, I would love to retire a Pittsburgh Steeler." When asked if talks have already begun, Polamalu smirked before saying: "I'd love to retire a Pittsburgh Steeler." Polamalu, 30, is"
Polamalu will pace himself in camp as Achilles tendon continues to heal
"Troy Polamalu is less concerned about when he will sign a contract extension with the Steelers and more concerned how his rehabilitated Achilles tendon will hold up once the regular season begins. Polamalu, the NFL's defensive player of the year in 2010, was on the field at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe Sunday for the first practice in pads at training camp -- a good sign for the Steelers' five-time Pro Bowl safety. But that does not mean Polamalu is fully recovered from a partially torn Achilles that appeared to limit his effectiveness in the postseason and the Super Bowl. Polamalu did not need surgery to repair the injury, but the rehabilitation process took longer than expected"
Time heals Steelers vet Polamalu's wounds
"Admittedly, Troy Polamalu didn't intimidate the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV. Typically, the hard-hitting safety delivers blows that shift momentum. But his shots that night were weakened by a myriad of nagging injuries, including a partial tear of an Achilles tendon that resulted in an uneven performance in the 31-25 loss. For Polamalu, it didn't matter that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger shouldered the blame again Friday, saying, "I told everyone it's my fault we lost the Super Bowl." Polamalu agonizes over his subpar effort. "I didn't play very well, and we can leave it at that," he said. "I've played some of my best games injured." Polamalu still isn't where he wants to be"
Polamalu's agent expects contract discussion
"The Steelers have plenty they need to accomplish in free agency when the lockout ends. They also would surely like to get franchise player Lamarr Woodley locked up long term. When the frenzy dies down in a few weeks, they should start thinking of their homegrown players they can re-sign. Linebacker Lawrence Timmons comes to mind. Oh, and some guy named Polamalu is a free agent in 2012 that might get a new deal. "There's been no discussion yet, but I'd say it's highly likely that was because of the lockout. We'd be open to it, sure," Polamalu's agent Marvin Demoff told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "Troy's played there eight years and wants to finish his career in Pittsburgh.""
Polamalu is a 'mane priority'
"Even with the NFL's what-was- that -all-about labor drama Wednesday, the lockout still? moved a vital step closer to resolution. Doesn't look to me like it will be long before local eyes turn toward Latrobe and the usual conversation about the Steelers' conditioning and Casey Hampton's caloric intake. The weightiest subjects right away, though, will involve contracts, primarily whether management can reel back Ike Taylor from the free-agent pool and whether LaMarr Woodley`s $10 million franchise-tag money can be reworked into a multiyear deal. But here's another, a bit off the beaten path: Should the Steelers extend Troy Polamalu's contract, which is due to expire at the end of the coming"
Troy Polamalu: Players have cause
"Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu doesn't know when the NFL lockout will end, but he does believe the players are representing the everyday person in their battle against the NFL. "It's unfortunate right now. I think what the players are fighting for is something bigger," Polamalu said Sunday night. "A lot of people think it's millionaires versus billionaires and that's the huge argument. The fact is its people fighting against big business. The big business argument is 'I got the money and I got the power therefore I can tell you what to do.' That's life everywhere. I think this is a time when the football players are standing up and saying, 'No, no, no, the people have the"
Polumalu's rehab going well; Aaron Smith's prognosis "still a little murky"
"As you know, the Steelers never revealed the exact nature of Troy Polamalu's late-season injury, referring to it simply as a foot injury (I believe was the terminology). Anyway, I have since informed you that his injury was a slight tear of his Achilles tendon, suffered returning that interception for touchdown in a Dec. 12 game against the Bengals. His rehab appears to be going well. Polamalu is receiving treatment and doing rehabilitation in Los Angeles under the care of an orthopedic surgeon who is friendly with the Steelers medical staff. He does not need surgery, which is the good news. The injury is healing on its own -- with the help of therapy, of course -- and he is progressing on"
Polamalu earns degree, graduates from USC
"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"
Steelers' Polamalu was hurt for all playoffs
"If it looked as though Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu was hurting in the postseason, especially the Super Bowl, it's because he was. Sources have confirmed to the Post-Gazette that Polamalu was playing with an injured Achilles tendon that robbed him of his trademark burst and explosiveness and was much worse than the Steelers let on. The injury occurred near the end of his 45-yard interception return for a touchdown Dec. 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite the injury, Polamalu remained in the game and had a second interception in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory. But he was never the same after that. Before the Bengals game, Polamalu already was bothered by an injury to"
Polamalu effort brings in $135,000 for military fundraiser
"Steelers safety Troy Polamalu did not win another Super Bowl ring Sunday, but he rang in $135,000 for veterans, service members and their families through an online auction on Twitter. The gift is a record for Operation Once in a Lifetime, a Dallas-based charity that helps the military, often with free tickets for travel or entertainment. But the total fell short of expectations -- possibly because of the Super Bowl. "I'm happy ... but I was hoping for a little bit more," said Patrick M. Sowers, founder and president of Operation Once in a Lifetime. Sowers said about 30 celebrities, including some Steelers and Dallas Mavericks owner and Mt. Lebanon native Mark Cuban, had said they would"
Hair of Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu belies his personality
"First, you notice the hair, which spills long and thick around his face and onto his shoulder pads. It is a remarkable head of hair, like Rapunzel's, like Medusa's, like Samson's. It has made him a celebrity, and it has earned him endorsements, and it has served as the perfect hiding place for the most humble superstar in sports. Hair, however, is not what makes Troy Polamalu special. Later, you will notice his accomplishments, which grow more bright and glistening every day. He has Super Bowl rings for his fingers, and a half-dozen Pro Bowls in his past, and a new defensive player of the year award. His honors have made him famous, and they have won him respect from his peers and"
Friends for Life
"The photo could be of any fan standing with any player at any NFL training camp. But Elizabeth Rada wasn't just posing to impress her Facebook friends. And to her and legions of other Steelers fans, Troy Polamalu isn't just any player. Rada grew up in a family of Eagles fans, but was drawn to root for Polamalu and his Steelers. She would have been rooting for him to win Super Bowl XLV today against Green Bay. But bone cancer cost Rada her life on Oct. 2. The Charter School of Wilmington senior was 17. "Troy Polamalu was her favorite football player, period," Elizabeth's mother, Sally, said. After the family's experience with him last summer, he's their favorite, too. When Elizabeth was in"
Woodson, Polamalu are high-rollers
"Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu and Green Bay's Charles Woodson see a different game and have the nerve to act on what they see. Not only do their brains and their boldness stamp them as unique players, the combination also won the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year award for Woodson in 2009 and for Polamalu in 2010. Each has the cunning, the vast experience and the athletic gifts to emerge as the most valuable player in the 45th Super Bowl on Sunday. By the same token, each could be the goat. "They take educated guesses, and they're usually right," Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said. "(Woodson) is like Troy. You've got to find him before the ball's snapped. You've got"
Polamalu earns Defensive Player of the Year honors
"Both are disruptive playmakers with long, flowing hair and a shared alma mater. They also are so close to one another as far as impacting games that initial reports Monday had Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews, not Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu, winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors. Polamalu, as it turned out, edged Matthew by the slimmest of margins, getting 17 first-place votes out of 50 among those on a nationwide Associated Press panel. Matthews received 15 first-place votes. The two can settle any debate about who's the NFL's top defensive player Sunday when their respective teams meet in Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium. Polamalu became the second"
Matthews' endorsement deal creates hairy situation
"It's a good thing Clay Matthews doesn't have male-pattern baldness. If he did, the run-up to Super Bowl XLV would be all about hum-drum football stuff, such as sacks and quarterback hits. Instead, get ready for a blitz - pardon the pun - of hair stories. Matthews, the all-pro outside linebacker for the Green Bay Packers, has joined Pittsburgh Steelers' safety Troy Polamalu in an exclusive club: Super Bowl participants with shampoo contracts. Matthews has signed a one-year deal with Unilever's Suave brand. The deal includes media appearances before and after the Super Bowl and a production day should the company want to film a commercial with him. Contract terms were not disclosed."
Steelers hope return of Polamalu helps reverse loss to Jets
"Coach Rex Ryan proved to be prophetic after the New York Jets beat Pittsburgh 22-17 at Heinz Field in December. After the Jets snapped a two-game losing streak, Ryan told Steelers coach Mike Tomlin they would meet again in the playoffs. On Sunday, the Jets return to Pittsburgh for the AFC Championship Game. But this time, the experts are predicting a different outcome. "If you look at the Jets, it's really nothing short of remarkable what they've done to get to this point," Tomlin said this week. "They went to Indianapolis and beat those guys. They went to New England and beat those guys. They've been in Heinz Field recently and whacked us in our place. "We're going to have to play better"
Polamalu is 'safety' net for Steelers
"Troy Polamalu's voice never rose above its trademark whisper, but his eyes sure lit up at the meaning. When the Steelers' safety heard Santonio Holmes had called him "probably the greatest player I've ever played with or even seen play in person," Polamalu took it as an early mental victory going into Sunday's AFC title game with the Jets. "If he's not thinking right calling me that, then that's good for [the Steelers] this week," Polamalu said of his former teammate. It bodes even better for the Steelers that Polamalu actually is playing this time. The relentless All-Pro does so much for Pittsburgh's defense that his injury absence when these teams met last month appeared to be a big"
Jets won't be able to dodge Steelers' Troy Polamalu this time around; safety expected to take field
"Steelers strong safety Ryan Clark stepped on a black stool next to his locker, looked down on a group of reporters encircling teammate Troy Polamalu and asked his own question. "Troy, how does it feel to be the second-most attractive safety on the team, yet they put you on the shampoo commercials?" Clark inquired. Polamalu, his hair tied into a ponytail, blushed and stammered. Clark continued. "Is it racist?" he asked. Both laughed, but Polamalu, the Steelers' reticent rover, is typically the one unsettling those in his presence on the field with his quick-strike capabilities. Spiritual and soft-spoken before and after a game, he morphs into an almost mythic figure between the white"