It wasn't so long ago that Troy was "Super" Troy, faster than speeding a running back, more powerful than a bull-rushing offensive lineman, able to leap tall wide receivers in a single bound. Unfortunately, Troy's all-out, balls-to-the-wall-style of play has wreaked havoc with his body. He can't do they things that he wants to do to help the Steelers win.
Oh, how we long for the days of old. There have been so many phenomenal plays from this one individual, it's hard to pick just one favorite. Remember the pick-6 against the Baltimorons in the AFC Championship Game? How about the time he hurdled the offensive line against Tennessee? And the non-interception in the AFC Championship Game versus Indy?
Who would have thought when the Steelers traded up in the 2003 draft to pick a safety out of USC #16 overall, that we would be rewarded with such greatness. Most people couldn't even pronounce his name much less know who he was. 8 times trip to the Pro Bowl, 5 times an All Pro, 5 times AFC Defensive Player of the Week, 2010 Defensive Player of the Year, 2 time Super Bowl Champion and a certain first-ballot Hall of Famer. The list goes on and on. Now he is revered lovingly by the Steelers faithful merely as "Troy".
The shame of it is that the years of wear and tear on his amazing specimen of a body have caught up to this great warrior. All those times he launched himself as a long-haired missile at opposing players, he was taking years off of his career. At 33 years old, he's become a shell of his former self.
Mrs. Black-N-Gold used to think there was no uglier sight in the world than when RB Franco Harris was totting the rock for the Seattle Seahawks. Or seeing C Mike Webster line up for the Kansas City Chiefs. I was wrong. It's such a sad sight to see Troy desperately trying to be Troy for us every Sunday when his body has deserted him. I think he knows it and we fans know it. We just don't want to admit it.
Troy missed last Sunday's game against Kansas City due to a bum knee. His status for this Sunday night is up in the air, much like Troy used to be when tackling players on the other side of the ball. Mrs. Black-N-Gold knows that Christmas is over but she still has one last item on her Christmas list: A chance for Troy to be Troy. One more time.
Tears are welling up in my eyes as I type this, just as they did a few weeks ago. A local radio station ran an interview with Troy. To me, it sounded like he knows the end is near. They also talked of all the great things Troy has done for this team, this city both on the field and off. He is the greatest safety to play the game. Ever.
Sunday night, I'll be wearing my #43 jersey and cheering him on like never before. It may be the last chance we get to enjoy Troy being Troy. Let's Go Steelers!!!!!!
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