Steelers Safety Transcends Football, Politics

Troy Polamalu is a football god. Of that, there is no doubt.

He makes amazing tackles.

He makes completely mind-boggling interceptions.

He scores game winning touchdowns.

I could do this all day, just post clips of his amazing plays on the field. He is one of those rare football players who is irreplaceable, who defies logic and reason and simply is. He is always around the ball, always the guy who makes his teammates look better, and often the one to make a momentum changing play, the kind coach Tomlin calls, splash plays.

But the truly amazing thing about Troy Polamalu is that he is equally impressive off the field. A popular local Pittsburgh blogger has dubbed him Troysus; the name is perfect because the deeply spiritual and soft spoken Steelers safety is like Jesus.

With the G20 in town, Pittsburgh is one weird place. But the traffic disruptions, business closings, and apache helicopters hovering above have not discouraged Troy Polamalu from quietly going about the business of leaving behind a kindness footprint.

Check out this story and video about Polamalu checking in on those Pittsburghers of the fewest means — those who call “under the 9th Street Bridge” their residence. (Many members of Pittsburgh’s homeless population find shelter under the nearly dozen bridges around downtown and have been roused from their spots for G20 security.)

Troy really is like Jesus. Only, he’s better because Troy Polamalu plays football, too.

For excellent G20 Pittsburgh coverage, check Matt Stroud’s, “The Prison Dilemma” page at True/Slant.