Pittsburgh Steelers legend Polamalu retires from NFL
Friday 10 April 2015 11:16, UK
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu has decided to retire from football after 12 seasons in the NFL.
Polamalu suffered a strained knee ligament last year that forced him to miss four of the last seven games of the season and he has decided now is the time to leave the Steelers.
Born in the United States of Samoan descent, the 33-year-old was one of the most recognisable faces in the NFL with his mass of hair which was famously insured by a shampoo company for $1m.
Polamalu was drafted in 2003, and went on to win two Super Bowls with the Steelers, as well as being selected to eight Pro Bowls and winning the 2010 defensive player of the year award.
The former USC college star told the Uniontown Herald-Standard newspaper he decided to quit when he started debating whether he could make the commitment necessary to play another season for the Steelers.
The newspaper also reported that the Steelers had asked Polamalu to retire in February but he delayed the decision until this week.
