Safety Troy Polamalu was named Monday as one of three first-year eligible players among the 25 semifinalists of modern-era players for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2020. Polamalu, however, wasn’t the only former Pittsburgh Steelers player on that list of 25 modern-era semifinalists as guard Alan Faneca and wide receiver Hines Ward were also chosen once again this year.
Polamalu was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft, the 16th pick overall, out of USC. He went on to play 12 seasons in Pittsburgh and his career ended with him being a two-time Super Bowl champion, a four-time first team All-Pro selection, a two-time second team All-Pro selection, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2010), an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and a member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team and Steelers All-Time Team.