Troy Polamalu ‘Proudly’ Represents Samoan Heritage, Inspiring Young Polynesians Like JuJu Smith-Schuster, Sione Takitaki

For higher or worse, the Corridor of Fame is a chance for the sport of soccer to honor not solely the participant, but in addition his personhood, and his legacy. Lots of instances, that personhood, and that legacy, transcends the self, which we noticed from Pittsburgh Steelers security Troy Polamalu when he gave his induction speech on Saturday evening.

He carries with him the legacy and the way forward for Samoans and all Polynesian individuals who have been, are, and shall be part of the sport. He has already impressed a technology of younger Polynesians, and can proceed to take action, seeing him, and his hair, immortalized within the type of a bronze bust, with a face that’s totally different from most others surrounding him.

“I come from a tradition the place self-discipline, humility, and respect aren’t solely the inspiration to our survival, however the important thing to our existence”, Polamalu stated early in his induction speech. “I’m a first-generation American Samoan, and proudly representing my household’s lineage to American by means of the NFL”.

He then eliminated the tie that sure his hair to disclose that so memorable mane that he performed with all through his NFL profession, some of the iconic and defining traits of any athlete of his technology. However that hair is far more than only a vogue assertion; it’s additionally a part of his heritage, and his sons put on their hair the identical means.

Whereas Polamalu represents the Samoan and Polynesian folks within the NFL and the sport of soccer at giant, he’s hardly alone. Present Steeler JuJu Smith-Schuster is of Samoan descent, and he paid his respects to the Corridor of Famer, calling him a “true inspiration and position mannequin for everybody, particularly for a Samoan and USC Trojan like me”.

Enormous shoutout and congratulations to Troy Polamalu, true inspiration and position mannequin for everybody, particularly for a Samoan and USC Trojan like me 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 @tpolamalu 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/ZoUqdpFatO

— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) August 8, 2021

Cleveland Browns linebacker Sione Takitaki additionally spoke to Polamalu following yesterday’s follow. “Troy’s been an inspiration, especially to all Poly kids. He’s Samoan and Tongan. I say we’re the identical, coming from these islands. We undoubtedly seemed as much as him. Troy was an incredible soccer participant, did superb issues on the sphere, and simply off the sphere, too. I’ve been to his camps, little issues that he did, and particularly at an early age, simply wanting as much as him, undoubtedly a man you need to look as much as”.

I felt like that was my uncle”, he stated of watching Polamalu get inducted on Saturday evening. “I felt like that was my member of the family, simply because at a younger age, wanting as much as him”.

For me, this will get on the coronary heart of some of the helpful property of sports activities typically. Irrespective of who you’re, so long as you’re adequate, you can also make it. And if you see any individual who seems to be such as you up there with all of the greats, that’s a second of illustration is an inspiration of untold impression. I’ve a sense that was in all probability Polamalu’s favourite a part of the evening.