Steelers' Troy Polamalu is retiring: 'It's all about family'
— -- Iconic Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu has decided to retire after a transcendent 12-year playing career.
"Since the end of the season I've had a chance to enjoy my family on a level that I never had before. It was awesome," Polamalu told the Uniontown Herald-Standard. "Thank God football has provided me the ability to be able to sit back and see what the options are. But I'll definitely be the best father I can be."
Polamalu informed the Steelers of his decision Wednesday night, the newspaper reported.
The Steelers had been patient with Polamalu, who turns 34 later this month, hoping he would retire rather than forcing them to release one of the most beloved and unforgettable players in franchise history.
Polamalu said he realized this week that the time had come to call it a career, one in which he won a pair of Super Bowls and made eight Pro Bowls but also saw his skills decline last season.
Polamalu started 12 games for the Steelers in 2014 -- he missed four contests because of a knee injury - and did not intercept a pass or record a sack in a season for only the second time in his career. The Steelers went 11-5 and won the AFC North but after an early January wild-card loss to the Baltimore Ravens Polamalu acknowledged that he may have played his final game for the Steelers.
He had two years left on his contract and was due a base salary of $6 million this year.
Polamalu said he did not seriously consider playing elsewhere but admitted that it took awhile to warm up to the idea of retiring.
"I had talked to a lot of people about what I should do with my situation, and what they kept saying back to me, and which was not a sufficient reason was 'Troy, you played 12 years in the NFL, you won Super Bowls, won individual awards. You have a legacy,' " Polamalu said. "And I just kept saying, 'First of all I don't care about a legacy. Second of all I play the game because I enjoy it.' "
Polamalu said the decision to walk away from the game ultimately came down to wanting to spend more time with his wife, Theodora, and young sons, Paisios and Ephram.
Polamalu, who is deeply religious and Greek Orthodox, said he realized it was time to retire while in church this week, which is the Holy Week for Greek Orthodox.
Polamalu, a first-round draft pick of the Steelers in 2003, finishes his career with 32 interceptions, tied for seventh-most in franchise history. He is considered a future Pro Football Hall of Famer and one of the greatest safeties of his generation.
Polamalu said the one reason why he initially resisted the Steelers' overtures to retire is that he thinks the organization is close to winning another Super Bowl.
"Part of the reason I wanted to come back was they're talented, they're really talented," Polamalu said. "I think it's an exciting time to be a Steeler. I do know one thing is that (sheer) talent doesn't win Super Bowls. There has to be another component there. I do think the team next year can be really successful. How successful only time will tell."