During halftime of Sunday’s victory over the Cleveland Browns, the Steelers celebrated the 10 year anniversary of their first Superbowl victory since the 1970’s teams.
That Superbowl XL team ushered in a new era of Steelers football, and made it so that the Steelers were no longer just about Chuck Noll and the Steel Curtain.
To my knowledge, the following players were in attendance and honored at the half (with a few names missing because they are still playing or on the coaching staff currently)…
Jeff Reed, Tommy Maddox, Charlie Batch, Bryant McFadden, Ricardo Colclough, Tyrone Carter, Willie Williams, Chidi Iwuoma, Mike Logan, Verron Haynes, Dan Kreider, Jerome Bettis, Willie Parker, James Farrior, Rian Wallace, Chukky Okobi, Clint Kriewaldt, Jeff Hartings, Barret Brooks, Kendall Simmons, Chris Hoke, Marvel Smith, Max Starks, Trai Essex, Antwaan Randle El, Jerame Tuman, Lee Mays, Travis Kirschke, Aaron Smith, Arnold Harrison, Casey hampton, and Brett Kiesel.
There were a few notable names missing. Larry Foote, Clark Haggans, Chris Hope, Ike Taylor, Deshea Townsend, and Hines Ward to name a few.
No absence was more glaring than future hall of famer, Troy Polamalu. According to Colin Dunlap of 93.7 The Fan; it sounds like it may not have been a scheduling conflict.
As Steelers celebrated 10yr anniv of Super Bowl win, Troy wasn’t there. Told by many he is really displeased w how time w organization ended
— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) November 16, 2015
This is in line with what we were hearing and reporting during Troy Polamalu’s final season with the Steelers. Marc wrote early on about Troy Polamalu’s issues, mainly with head coach Mike Tomlin.
To summarize much of what we reported back then; Troy had problems with Mike Tomlin’s lax attitude with young players in the locker room, as well as the team’s dismissal of longtime defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau.
This to me is really unfortunate, and feels sort of petty on Troy’s part to me.
I can understand Troy feeling like he was in a different place late in his career, than he did early on. Mike Tomlin’s style is definitely different than Bill Cowher’s was.
Troy was in a locker room with very few familiar faces, and when the man he was probably closest to, Dick Lebeau, was pushed out; he probably grew resentful of Steelers brass.
That’s understandable, but Troy should understand the reality of the NFL. Does anyone think now that was the wrong decision? Keep in mind, the Steelers are 5th in the league in scoring defense when you’re answering.
To me, if Troy’s problem is mainly with Tomlin, skipping the ceremony doesn’t make sense. He probably could’ve come to spend time with former teammates without even crossing paths with his former coach.
The situation reminds me of the long-time beef between the Steelers and Terry Bradshaw. I felt Bradshaw was always just over-sensitive and eventually decided to bury the hatchet.
Hopefully Troy one day does the same. I know that Steeler Nation would love to give him the type of ovation he deserves whenever he returns to Heinz Field for the first time since retiring.
5 comments
I think Troy has earned the right to make his own mind up.
Troy Polamalu can do whatever he likes it’s Nunni your business if he didn’t show up or not and as far as playing football in and what he decides he’s been in the game and played and seeing the inside and the outside and you haven’t all you can do is criticize and not very well with that .
I don’t think anyone was criticizing Troy. It’s simply an observation about a split between the organization and one of it’s great players. It really is too bad and I really do hope that they find a way to collectively mend fences.
How Important is this ? enlight of what happened last week in Paris ? not very !
enlight of what happened last week in Paris , how important is it that Troy did not attend some party ? Not very Important , too many guys acting like a bunch of school Girls, give me a break .