Survey: Polamalu is most-liked player in NFL

Survey: Polamalu is most-liked player in NFL
By Alan Robinson
Published: Thursday, October 25, 2012, 9:20 a.m.


Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, limited to one full game this season by a calf injury, is the NFL's most-liked player, according to a Nielsen survey recently conducted in collaboration with E-Poll Market Research.

Polamalu is the only Steelers player among the 10 most-liked players. No Steelers player is among the 10 least-liked.

Polamalu's take-no-play-off style and his wildly flowing hair -- plus his much-seen Head and Shoulders commercials -- contribute to his popularity, as does the fact he plays on a nationally watched team.

Polamalu's appeal rating of 63 percent put him ahead of Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Packers defensive back Charles Woodson (both 62 percent), Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (59 percent), Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Patriots* tight end Rob Gronkowski (both 58 percent), Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III , Packers wide receiver Donald Driver and Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher (all 57 percent) and Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (56 percent).

It's obvious from the polling that fans don't like players who are perceived to be divas or underachievers -- especially quarterbacks.



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I agree....I can't think of any other player it could be. The man has a great demeanor....plays the game like a champ. (When he is healthy) He has managed to keep himself out of controversial situations in life. To many things to list.......

I would have to agree with it couldn't think of no one else.

I can't find it now, but about a year or so ago, I read a story where Troy was attending a volleyball tournament for his niece (or someone in his family). During a break in the action, he was out in the parking lot playing a pickup game of football with a bunch of kids who were there. One of the fathers wrote a blog about it and posted pictures. That's not something you'd expect anyone famous to do, but it wasn't surprising considering it was Troy.

EDIT:

Found a blurb about it:

Quote :

While attending his niece's volleyball tournament in Maryvale, Polamalu was spotted by some young kids in the crowd. They rushed over for his autograph. He happily obliged, and offered a better idea.He took the kids into the parking lot for an impromptu game of football."My son disappeared for like 30 minutes, and when I went outside, I couldn't believe what I saw," Phoenix resident Jeff Leiva said. "They were playing football on this narrow strip of pavement. Troy was diagramming plays for the kids. He was the designated quarterback."That's incredible."He told us a bunch of plays in the huddle. He told me to run a fly route," his son, Camden, said. "And I caught it for a touchdown.

http://volleyballusa.info/article/Pittsburgh-Steelers--Troy-Polamalu-head-and-shoulders-above-the-rest

Wallace108 wrote:

I can't find it now, but about a year or so ago, I read a story where Troy was attending a volleyball tournament for his niece (or someone in his family). During a break in the action, he was out in the parking lot playing a pickup game of football with a bunch of kids who were there. One of the fathers wrote a blog about it and posted pictures. That's not something you'd expect anyone famous to do, but it wasn't surprising considering it was Troy.

EDIT:

Found a blurb about it:

Quote :

While attending his niece's volleyball tournament in Maryvale, Polamalu was spotted by some young kids in the crowd. They rushed over for his autograph. He happily obliged, and offered a better idea.He took the kids into the parking lot for an impromptu game of football."My son disappeared for like 30 minutes, and when I went outside, I couldn't believe what I saw," Phoenix resident Jeff Leiva said. "They were playing football on this narrow strip of pavement. Troy was diagramming plays for the kids. He was the designated quarterback."That's incredible."He told us a bunch of plays in the huddle. He told me to run a fly route," his son, Camden, said. "And I caught it for a touchdown.

http://volleyballusa.info/article/Pittsburgh-Steelers--Troy-Polamalu-head-and-shoulders-above-the-rest

I remember that. He may go down as one of the most popular ever (with the possible exception of Ed Reed.

solardave wrote:

I remember that. He may go down as one of the most popular ever (with the possible exception of Ed Reed.

I assume you're being sarcastic.

Seriously though ... Ed Reed is a great safety. He's a terrific player, but he's no Troy Polamalu. As great of a player as Troy is, he's an even better person.

Why can't he stay healthy

fer69 wrote:

Why can't he stay healthy

Because of his style of play catching up with him...... and he's getting old.

Buddha Bus wrote:

fer69 wrote:

Why can't he stay healthy

Because of his style of play catching up with him...... and he's getting old.

To be honest....his playing style has a lot to do with it and time. It would appear the he is close to the day of being put out to pasture with the rest of the "Old Througbreads " He is now 31 with 10 yrs in...I think it would be pushing it to get 2 or 3 more years out of him.

Kornbread wrote:

Buddha Bus wrote:

fer69 wrote:

Why can't he stay healthy

Because of his style of play catching up with him...... and he's getting old.

To be honest....his playing style has a lot to do with it and time. It would appear the he is close to the day of being put out to pasture with the rest of the "Old Througbreads " He is now 31 with 10 yrs in...I think it would be pushing it to get 2 or 3 more years out of him.

Even though 31 isn't really that old, Troy's style of play over the years has done his body no favors and it is reacting like it's older than it really is. He's banged up from playing like a wild man for 10 years. It's actually amazing he's held up this long.

I hope I'm wrong and he finds a fountain of youth to soak in because I'm not sure how we go on without the guy considering how great he's been. Maybe he can get this calf injury right and play 2 more years, but I'm skeptical at this point.

Buddha Bus wrote:

I hope I'm wrong and he finds a fountain of youth to soak in because I'm not sure how we go on without the guy considering how great he's been. Maybe he can get this calf injury right and play 2 more years, but I'm skeptical at this point.

I am in your amen corner friend. I just hope someone will step up to Troy's level of playing and in a quick fashion! But then again...there will be only one Troy P!

Kornbread wrote:

Buddha Bus wrote:

I hope I'm wrong and he finds a fountain of youth to soak in because I'm not sure how we go on without the guy considering how great he's been. Maybe he can get this calf injury right and play 2 more years, but I'm skeptical at this point.

I am in your amen corner friend. I just hope someone will step up to Troy's level of playing and in a quick fashion! But then again...there will be only one Troy P!

This. No one will ever be Troy. He's a once in a lifetime player. We can only hope to find another who can come close to replacing him.

Here, here I couldn't agree more. And it really doesn't surprise me that he would get an honor like that. He's such a credit to Steeler Nation and humanity itself. I will cry like someone died the day he hangs up his cleats. I really will.