Pittsburgh Steelers star Troy Polamalu announced his retirement from the NFL last Wednesday, and revealed that the timing of his decision holds a spiritual significance.
The strong safety spent his entire 12-year career with the Steelers, and is walking away from the game at the age of 33.
"Thirty-three is obviously significant because of Christ being 33; and 12 years, 12 apostles," he told the Uniontown Herald-Standard.
"I'm not superstitious by any means, but I always thought that if I played 12 years and retire from football at 33 and give my life and give my body and give my blood to this game, I think that would be a pretty significant landmark in my life."
The Orthodox Christian won two Super Bowls, eight Pro Bowls, and the 2010 Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award. However, rumours circulated over a month ago that the Steelers would cut him if he didn't retire in order to save a reported $3.75 million on their salary cap.
Polamalu confirmed that the team told him at the end of the season that they would not offer him another contract. In deciding whether to retire, Polamalu said he didn't think about his legacy, but rather his love for the game.
"...When I started this process and started to debate whether I should come back or should I play, that was kind of the sign for me to say 'Whoa, if you're just even debating it maybe you shouldn't play anymore,' because what I do know about this game is it takes a lot - a lot - of commitment just to be an average player," he explained.
Family was also a significant consideration for the athlete. Polamalu and his wife, Theodora, have two children: Paisios, 6, and Ephraim, 4.
"It's all about family," Polamalu said. "I live here in Pittsburgh now, and since the end of the season I've had a chance to enjoy my family on a level I never had before. It was awesome."
