Future HOFer Troy Polamalu retires

I'm a Steeler fan since the mid 70's. He was a great player, one of my all time favorites.

Did he cut his hair before this decline?

No. Still has the long hair.

So glad he didn't play for any other team

Same here, GoVikings. I hate it when guys with great careers try to extend their stay in the NFL with a 1 year move to another team. I understand they want the money, and the NFL is a business, but I still prefer the greats to stick to a single team.

My feelings are mixed on this subject.

As a Bengals fan I think this will make things a little easier for my team.

However, as a fan of the sport in general, it is sad to see such a talented player leave the game.

Even as a Giants diehard Troy will be sorely missed.I can't think of a player that left more of himself on the field than him.Fuck Pete Carroll.

Steelers! Steelers! Steelers!

What's this? "Toasting" a quitter?

Seriously. having watched many greats move on to other teams when they should have hung it up, refreshing to see him retire gracefully.

I have bled black and gold for 30 years and I am sorry to see him go. Too many injuries the last couple of years, mostly because of the punishing way that he played. As much as I will miss watching him, I'm glad that he has gotten out while he can still walk and has at least most of his brain intact.

He was a perfect fit for Steelers football and a fan favorite. It says a lot about the man that he elected to retire at this point rather than stretch it out.

I remember him from USC and actually saw him play live down here in Miami when USC beat Oklahoma for the national championship back in the 2000s.

He was a very physical player and I was astonished when I first found out he was just 208 pounds.

I really don't think he had a choice but to retire. Pittsburgh wasn't gonna keep him and giving how much his game has dimished I don't really see that a lot of teams would have been interested.

Hines Ward tried to keep going after Pitt but found no takers.

Very good player in his prime and when healthy, he was a shell of himself last 5 years or so due to injury and age but he had to be a great steadying influence for the steelers.