20 years ago: Steelers select Troy Polamalu in NFL draft
As the 16th overall pick in 2003, safety Troy Polamalu built a Hall of Fame career in Pittsburgh.
As the 16th overall pick in 2003, safety Troy Polamalu built a Hall of Fame career in Pittsburgh.
As the 16th overall pick in 2003, safety Troy Polamalu built a Hall of Fame career in Pittsburgh.
Wednesday marks 20 years since the Pittsburgh Steelers made one of the biggest draft moves in franchise history.
With the 16th overall pick in 2003, Pittsburgh selected hard-hitting safety Troy Polamalu from the University of Southern California.
Archive video from 2003 above: Troy Polamalu arrives in Pittsburgh
The Steelers wanted Polamalu so much that they made a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs to move up from the 27th pick to grab him.
It was the first time Pittsburgh had ever traded up in Round 1 of the NFL draft, and it delivered a major payoff.
Polamalu became a huge fan favorite in Pittsburgh. With his speed and playmaking ability on defense, he helped the Steelers win "one for the thumb" in Super Bowl XL and another Lombardi Trophy three years later.
Polamalu retired in 2015 after wearing black and gold for 12 NFL seasons. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2020.
"A huge blessing:" Polamalu reacts to being elected to Hall of Fame; watch the interview below. (February 2020)
