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Long before Troy Polamalu was revolutionizing the safety position with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was doing the same thing for the University of Southern California. On Monday he was officially recognized for his years at USC after he was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2019.
Congratulations to USC legend @tpolamalu on making the College Football Hall of Fame!#USCtotheHOF | #FightOn pic.twitter.com/Of1NNBEdyg
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) January 7, 2019
Polamalu will be inducted as one of a class of 15 names to be honored with enshirement in 2019 and will be joined by names such as wide receiver Torry Holt, quarterback Jake Plummer and linebacker Patrick Willis.
Dennis Erickson and Troy Polamalu (the pride of Douglas HS in Winston, OR) among the 2019 College Football Hall of Fame class. pic.twitter.com/7WYlLqN7hq
— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) January 7, 2019
In four seasons with USC, the iconic safety recorded 281 tackles and six interceptions and was twice named as a team captain. Voted team MVP in 2001 and Most Inspirational Player in 2002, he was also named as a member of the Pac-12 All-Century Team and inducted into the USC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018.
Troy Polamalu will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2019.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 7, 2019
MORE: https://t.co/8AfOuS1oy3 pic.twitter.com/rKPgQlRl2e
Selected by the Steelers with the 16th pick of the 2003 NFL draft, Polamalu would go on to be a two-time Super Bowl Champion, receive eight Pro Bowl nominations. four First-team All-Pro selections. two Second-team All-Pro selections and was voted NFL Defensive PLayer of the Year in 2010. He is also a member of the NFL 2000’s All-Decade Team and the Steelers All-Time Team.
Eligible to be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020. Polamalu should unquestionably be a first-ballot selection.