With his long hair spilling out of the back of his helmet as he flies around the field, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu is one of the most easily recognizable players in the NFL. His talent is equally easy to spot, maybe even enough to win over the hearts of football collectors who generally shy away from defensive players.
Plucked with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft when the Steelers traded up with the Chiefs (who used one of the picks they received to take running back Larry Johnson), Polamalu entered the league with an excellent reputation as a playmaker. A three-year starter at USC, he received numerous All-American honors as a senior.
It didn't take long for Polamalu to establish himself as one of the best safeties in the NFL. Lining up in a myriad of different locations that kept opponents guessing, he proved a stalwart defender against the run or the pass, and was named to the Pro Bowl every season since his rookie campaign.
Though he doesn't always post gaudy statistics, he does have a flair for the dramatic. In the Steelers AFC Championship victory over the Baltimore Ravens en route to Super Bowl XLIII, it was Polamalu's weaving interception for a touchdown that sealed the win. Off the field, he is known as a thoughtful, spiritual man, a stark contrast from his wildman persona on the gridiron.
It may be an uphill battle for Polamalu to achieve true hobby superstardom given his position, but his distinctive style and legions of Pittsburgh faithful give him as good a shot as any defensive player. His list of 2003 rookie cards includes a single autographed issue, his Playoff Contenders # 190, which has a fairly large print run and isn't difficult to track down.
2003 Troy Polamalu Rookie Cards
- Absolute Memorabilia # 149 - #'d to 1100
- Bowman # 257
- Bowman's Best # 90
- Donruss Classics # 250 - #'d to 900
- Donruss Elite # 200 - #'d to 100
- Finest # 61
- Gridiron Kings # 149
- Leaf Rookies and Stars # 250 - #'d to 750
- Playoff Contenders # 190 - autographed, #'d to 989
- Playoff Hogg Heaven # 198 - #'d to 1000
- Playoff Honors # 150 - #'d to 550
- SkyBox LE # 71 - #'d to 99
- SP Authentic # 120 - #'d to 2200
- SP Signature # 117 - #'d to 750
- SPx # 184 - #'d to 1500
- Sweet Spot # 208 - #'d to 300
- Topps Chrome # 274
- UD Patch Collection # 106
- Upper Deck Finite # 225 - #'d to 999