Troy Polamalu: AP's Defensive Player of the Year, CSM Hair MVP
Troy Polamalu was named the league's best defensive player by the AP this week. With his flowing locks, Troy Polamalu will be a key component of the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive game plan in Super Bowl XLV.
Pittsburgh Steelers' Troy Polamalu answers questions during media day for NFL football Super Bowl XLV, Tuesday, Feb. 1, in Arlington, Texas.
Mark Humphrey/AP Photo
Monday, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu was named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press.
Despite missing two games late in the season, the USC product still intercepted seven passes and recorded 63 tackles in 2010.
Polamalu has also been awarded the considerably less prestigious award of 'Best Hair in Football' by the Christian Science Monitor. In August 2010, Head and Shoulders shampoo – which Polamalu endorses – took out a $1 million policy on his Samson-like locks.
Coming into Sunday's matchup with the Green Bay Packers, much has been made of the Steelers Super Bowl experience factor. Pittsburgh won Super Bowls at the end of the 2005 and 2008 seasons.
But Polamalu isn't buying into it, saying it's more about playing in big games throughout the season that helps a team.
Fans are anxiously awaiting to see how the chess match between an 'experienced' Steelers defense and multi-faceted Packers offense unfolds on Sunday night in Super Bowl XLV.