Troy Polamalu is a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
I mean, of course he is.
The Hall of Fame vote is always close and tense for players, but Polamalu's case couldn't be denied. Saturday, voters made that official, giving the former Steelers safety a bust in Canton, Ohio.
Polamalu won two Super Bowls, made eight Pro Bowls and was a four-time first-team All-Pro player during his time with the Steelers, spanning from 2003 to 2014. And if that wasn't enough, he chipped in two second-team All-Pro nominations and a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2010 for good measure.
Not bad.
"It's surreal," Polamalu said after his induction while fighting back tears. "It honestly feels surreal."
Steelers owner Art Rooney II shared his thoughts as well.
"Troy was the kind of player who was able to impact the outcome of games from his safety position, and he did it with uncanny instincts that made it almost impossible for opposing offenses to predict where he would be ... It will be an exciting time for Troy and his family this summer when he receives our game's highest individual honor in Canton."
Polamalu's former teammates and coaches certainly recognize the greatness, taking to Twitter to express their admiration:
Congratulations to my brother and teammate @tpolamalu on your induction into the @ProFootballHOF!! ? on and off the field. https://t.co/Fmdcqw1Ktr
— Jerome Bettis (@JeromeBettis36) February 1, 2020
? #HOF2020 pic.twitter.com/a38k73vDYK
— Vince Williams (@VinnyVidiVici98) February 1, 2020
Fight, fly, claw, scratch for every blade of grass. Love you @tpolamalu #HOF #DaBest pic.twitter.com/rjfEzpMFSX
— Brett Keisel (@bkeisel99) February 1, 2020
Words can’t express the love that I have for you and the pride that I feel right now. I'm so happy for you! Congrats @tpolamalu. Love you, brother. @ South Beach, Miami, Florida https://t.co/Up6k7toqwD
— James Harrison (@jharrison9292) February 2, 2020
My brother. You have been recognized as one of the greatest players to ever live. Just waiting on the award for being one of the world’s greatest humans. Love you bro. @tpolamalu Congrats, & I’m glad you felt it. You deserved to feel it! As always God Bless you! https://t.co/DpDbmRIKSO
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) February 1, 2020
Congratulations @tpolamalu. You were a true game changer every time you took the field. It was a joy and a pleasure to coach you and nobody is more deserving of being a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer than you. So happy for you and your family.
— Mike Tomlin (@CoachTomlin) February 1, 2020
Even actor and famous Steelers fan / Pittsburgh native Joe Manganiello got in on the action:
CONGRATULATIONS to my friend and favorite Pittsburgh Steeler of all time Troy Polamalu on becoming a first ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/tZOAtUE5cB
— JOE MANGANIELLO (@JoeManganiello) February 1, 2020
And so did Primanti's because, you know ... Pittsburgh:
.@tpolamalu - You’ll always have big hair, but you’ll never get a big head over being elected to the @ProFootballHOF. And that’s why we’re your biggest fan. Congrats. #SeeYouInCanton #PFHOF20 #AlmostFamous pic.twitter.com/tatyuYvq5y
— Primanti Bros (@primantibros) February 1, 2020
No arguments here. On and off the field, Polamalu was exactly the type of player and person who deserves to be remembered forever.
