Polamalu earns NFL's All-Decade Honor
Monday, February 1, 2010
By Teresa Varley
Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu was named to the NFL’s all-decade team for the 2000s. Polamalu is the only current Steelers player selected to the 53-man team.
Polamalu, the team’s first-round draft pick in 2003, worked his way into the starting lineup his second season and earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl that year. It was the start of a string of five straight Pro Bowl appearances, broken only this season after Polamalu missed time because of a knee injury.
Polamalu was also named to the Steelers 75th Season All-Time Team, as well being named to the Associated Press’ and Pro Football Weekly’s All-NFL team in 2005 and the Sports Illustrated, Sporting News and PFW/PFWA’s All-Pro teams during his career.
The NFL All-Decade teams are selected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee members. This is the ninth All-Decade team in NFL history and also contains two former Steelers, guard Alan Faneca and linebacker Joey Porter.
The all-decade team is made up of two quarterbacks, four running backs, one fullback, four wide receivers, two tight ends, four offensive tackles, four guards, two centers, four defensive tackles, four defensive ends, six linebackers, four cornerbacks, four safeties, two kickers, two punters, two kick returners and two punt returners. Two head coaches have also been chosen.
