(Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Former Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu will be formally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 7 as a member of the Class of 2020, and Andrew Stockey of WTAE recently had a one-on-one interview with Polamalu near his home in Southern California to discuss his life now, his days in Pittsburgh and his upcoming Hall of Fame induction.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame officially announced last month that Polamalu's longtime defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau will be his presenter. Polamalu hinted the day before on social media that LeBeau would present him into football immortality.
The Hall of Fame ceremony for the Class of 2020 is just 39 days away, but Polamalu told Stockey that he hasn't written his speech yet.
"I don't think you can define your whole career in a speech," Polamalu said. "And I think that if you haven't conveyed that message throughout your entire career, then you're wasting your time in your eight-minute speech. You really are."
In typical Polamalu fashion, he said he's really not looking forward to his speech as he is hearing all the others, but is proud to represent his former teammates in the Hall of Fame in August.
Polamalu also touched on how his career ended in Pittsburgh, which wasn't on his terms.
"Was it my decision to end a Steeler? It was not," Polamalu said. "But I'm so grateful because it was absolutely the most perfect time for me to retire."
Polamalu currently lives outside of San Diego with his wife, Theodora, and their two sons, Paisois and Ephraim. Polamalu is a soccer dad now and he described his sons as "Yinzers" still even though they live in Southern California.
Along with Polamalu, Bill Cowher and Donnie Shell will be enshrined as members of the Class of 2020 on Aug. 7. In addition, Alan Faneca will be enshrined as a member of the Class of 2021 on Aug. 8. Bill Nunn was enshrined in April as a member of the Class of 2021 and will be recognized during the ceremony, as well.