Troy Aumua Polamalu honoured his Samoan roots when he was inducted into the N.F.L. Football Hall of Fame last weekend.

Mr. Polamalu, 40, spent his entire 12-year professional football career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and retired in 2015.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame over the weekend, on 8 August, 2021.

The former Steelers strong safety honoured his Samoan roots when he gave his enshrinement speech, saying his culture is founded on discipline, humility and respect.

“Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my journey to make this feat possible. To give me the opportunity to live my passion fulfilled and finally rest knowing that I achieved my objective,” Mr. Polamalu said.

“I come from a culture where discipline, humility and respect are not only the foundation to our survival but the key to our existence. I am a first generation American Samoan and proudly represent my family’s lineage to America to the N.F.L.”

A two-time All-American out of the University of Southern California, he was drafted in the first round, 16th player overall, of the 2003 National Football League Draft, according to the Hall of Fame.

During his storied tenure, Mr. Polamalu was a defensive leader who guided the Steelers to seven playoff appearances in 12 years, five division titles, and to win two of their three Super Bowl appearances – XL and XLIII, says the Hall of Fame.

He was named 2010 Defensive Player of the Year, recording seven interceptions for one touchdown, a sack and 63 tackles for the season.

Polamalu was selected to eight Pro Bowls, received First Team All-Pro honors four times, Second-Team All-Pro twice, and was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week seven times throughout his illustrious career. 

He started 142 of 158 career games; made 32 interceptions for 398 yards and three touchdowns; recorded 107 passes defensed; forced 14 fumbles; recovered seven fumbles for 120 yards and two TDs; made 12 sacks; and recorded 783 tackles – 583 of which were solo tackles.

“As dangerous as Polamalu was on the field, he was just as well-known for his mild-mannered and kind-hearted demeanour off the field. Polamalu was the 2010 Walter Payton Man of the Year – an accolade he earned for his service work,” the Hall of Fame said.

Mr. Polamalu said football has been his entire life.

“I love football. It was my entire life since as long as I can remember. I fostered an obsession with the game early on that I modelled after meticulous regiments after some of the greatest artists of the past…men were known to have a beastlike work ethic coupled with in unwavering ability to create until perfection beyond what most believe the human body will allow,” he said.

“To me that’s what it takes from being ordinary to extraordinary. It’s the ability to push from what the brain says to the body is possible and create a new order of boundaries for one’s self. It is the ability to learn from greatness around you and curate for yourself a unique version of their efforts. Football challenges me mentally and physically and spiritually in a way that no other feature of life could so I was hooked. I had to succeed in order to quench this desire or I knew I would have lived a life without direction.”

Mr. Polamalu expressed special thanks to his uncle Kennedy Polamalu, running backs coach for the Minnesota Vikings, his Steelers family and his wife Theodora Polamalu.

“My uncle Kennedy…who is a current running backs coach to the Minnesota Vikings, he instilled in me an authentic respect and passion for the game. His intensity has inspired not just me but countless athletes to revere and love the game at all costs. Uncle, you’re a true sport not just in sports but in life,” said Mr. Troy Polamalu.

“Some would say that I was destined …to stand before you and accept this achievement. I would agree. I receive spiritual guidance from a Saint. For those who know my wife Theodora, truly know how blessed I am. Baby, thank you seems so disingenuous. I love you. Please forgive me for not always being a Hall of Famer in all aspects of my life. Boys – the best thing I can do for you guys is love your mother. Thank you for holding me accountable…I love and thank God for my life because I have all of you, my family – the biggest family in the world, Steeler Nation.”

The first Polynesian to be inducted into the N.F.L. Hall of Fame is the late San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau.

The late Mr. Seau was inducted posthumously in 2015.

Polamalu is only the third player of Polynesian descent to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame, according to Steelers Now.