50-YARD LINE

     This morning Black-N-Gold Nation woke up to some not-so-shocking news. Steelers S Troy Polamalu has retired. We all knew this day would come, yet we'd hoped that his career would never end. The Steelers organization, their fans and the city of Pittsburgh embraced Troy and he embraced us, always giving 100% and laying it all on the line, both on the field and off.

     When the Steelers traded up in the 2003 draft to land USC S Troy Polamalu with the 16th pick, many Steelers fans weren't sure what to expect. Many hadn't even heard of Polamalu much less knew what he could do. Although he didn't start a game as a rookie he was named the Steelers Rookie of the Year in 2003. Troy was just getting started. Throughout his glorious career, #43 has garnered numerous accolades. He was named to 8 Pro Bowls, was a 5-time All-Pro, 2010 Defensive Player of the Year, Steelers 2010 MVP, a member of the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team, named to the Steelers 75th Anniversary Team and the Steelers All-Time Team. He was also named AFC Defensive Player of the Week 5 times and led the Steelers to 2 Super Bowl Championships as well as a 3rd appearance in the Big Game.

      And who can forget the tremendous plays that Troy would make? The pick-six of Flacco in the AFC Championship game? The (non)interception of Peyton Manning in the AFC Championship game at Indy? The many times Troy hurdled the line of scrimmage to get to the opposing QB? With 770 tackles, 12 QB sacks, 32 interceptions and 5 TDs, the list goes on and on. Of course, it was always just Troy being Troy.

     Pundits are now wondering if the Steelers will scramble to find his replacement, the next Troy Polamalu. The answer is "no" because there will never be another Troy Polamalu. He was a once-in-a-generation player who graced us with his presence for the past 12 years. His exemplary conduct both on the field and off, especially in today's NFL, truly amazed us. We'll miss the long, flowing locks unfurling from beneath his helmet as he races towards an opposing quarterback. We'll miss his leaping through the air with the greatest of ease to pick of an errant throw intended for the opposition's best wide receiver.

     But let us not mourn the end of Troy's stupendous career. Let us celebrate the fact that we were worthy of watching such a career unfold, before our very eyes. To Mrs. Black-N-Gold, #43 is #1. Thank you, Troy Polamalu for all that you've done for the Steelers and the city of Pittsburgh. See you in Canton.