Steelers Legend Lands On ESPN’s Top 25 NFL Players Since 2000 List

It’s only right to recognize a Pittsburgh Steelers legend when discussing the best of this century.

Troy Polamalu accomplished everything in his 12-year career with the Steelers. The strong safety, remembered for his incredible play and iconic hair, finished his career as an eight-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro, two-time Super Bowl champion, and the 2010 AP Defensive Player of the Year.

Those accolades earned him the honor of being a Pro Football Hall of Famer, as he was inducted into the hall as part of the Class of 2021.

ESPN revealed a list of the top 25 NFL players since 2000, highlighting the best of the 21st century. The Steelers safety made it onto the list, coming in at No. 16.

“Polamalu’s best season came in one when he didn’t win a Super Bowl,” ESPN’s Brooke Pryor wrote. “Returning to the field following an injury-shortened 2009 campaign, the soft-spoken Polamalu erupted in 2010 en route to winning the AP Defensive Player of the Year Award by two votes over linebacker Clay Matthews.

“Though he missed two games, Polamalu registered seven interceptions — including a pick-six — along with 63 combined tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a sack. The pick-six, one of three in Polamalu’s career, came against the Bengals when the safety flew in — seemingly out of nowhere — to snag Carson Palmer’s pass, returning it 45 yards to pay dirt. That marked the second time in his career Polamalu intercepted Palmer, his former roommate at USC, for a pick-six. Polamalu and the Steelers later finished the season in the Super Bowl, losing to the Packers.”

For those wondering, Polamalu finished behind Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed, who came in at No. 11. Overall, the Steelers safety ranked as the seventh-best defender on the list.

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