The 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers defense teemed with eventual Pro Hall of Famers. It was one of the most stacked units in NFL history, and it helped set the tone for the Steelers for years to come. They’ve employed several other great defenders since then, too. That includes Troy Polamalu, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020. However, Polamalu wasn’t always a legendary player. It took years for him to build his resumé, but former NFL tight end Christian Fauria quickly learned that underestimating Polamalu was a bad idea, even before he was well known.
“Playing for the Patriots and there’s this young rookie strong safety, crazy hair, wears some stupid number, number 43,” Fauria said recently on NFL Players Second Acts podcast. “I’m like, ‘Who is this guy?’ It’s Troy Polamalu. We have all these plays where we’re comboing up to the safety, and to my ignorance, I didn’t really study, didn’t really know much about him.
“I literally just saw number 43, I’m like, ‘This guy must suck.’ Because it’s a terrible number. Those guys usually get cut. Sure enough, couple plays, and he’s just coming down and blowing me up, and he’s blowing up the play. I’m like, ‘Freaking A, why’s this guy getting downhill so fast?’ And he has no fear. Zero fear whatsoever, and I was not ready for it…He humbled me in a hurry.”
Fauria first played against Polamalu was 2004, but t’s unclear if that’s the game that Fauria is referencing.
However, the Steelers beat the Patriots, 34-20, in that matchup, so it’s possible that loss sticks out in Fauria’s mind. Polamalu recorded three tackles and a pass defensed in that game. While that isn’t a gaudy stat line, knowing Polamalu, he likely stood out at every given opportunity.
It’s not like Polamalu was a household name entering his second season, either. He didn’t really establish himself until that year, making his first Pro Bowl and being named a second-team All-Pro. It took him some time to get comfortable in the NFL, and he blossomed after Dick LeBeau returned as the Steelers’ defensive coordinator.
Fauria and the Patriots got some revenge on Polamalu and the Steelers later in 2004, though. The two teams faced off again in the playoffs, and while Polamalu posted seven tackles, the Patriots won, 41-27. New England wasn’t caught off guard by Pittsburgh a second time.
Still, that season was a launching point for Polamalu. He put his name on the map on the way to becoming one of the NFL’s best defenders. He finished his career as an eight-time Pro Bowler with four first-team All-Pro selections, two second-team All-Pro selections, and an NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.
Fauria might’ve been one of the last players to take Polamalu lightly.
Recommended for you