Veteran Steelers safety Troy Polamalu retires from NFL

Veteran safety Troy Polamalu has retired, the team announced today. Polamalu played 12 seasons for the Steelers (2003-2014) after originally being selected by the team in the first round (16th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft.

He played in 158 career regular-season games with 142 starts, and he started all 15 postseason contests that he played in. Polamalu’s 158 career games played during the regular season are the fifth-most among defensive backs in team history.

His career totals include 12.0 sacks, 32 interceptions, 13 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries during the regular season, and his postseason numbers include one half-sack and three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

In 2014, Polamalu was named a defensive team captain. He started 12 games during the regular season, where he recorded 59 tackles, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Polamalu also started the lone postseason contest, finishing with a team-best eight tackles.

He is tied for the second-most defensive touchdowns during the regular season in franchise history (5), is tied for seventh on the team’s all-time interceptions list (32) and is ninth on the team’s all-time interception returns yards list (398).

He is an eight-time Pro Bowler (2004-08, 2010-11, ‘13), and has been named first-team AP All Pro four times (2005, 2008, 2010-11) and second team two times (2004, 2007). Polamalu was also named to the 2000’s NFL All-Decade Team and to the Steelers’ 75th Anniversary Team.