Behind the mane: Book captures essence of Steelers great Troy Polamalu

Jun. 9—Troy Polamalu is a man of few words.

But author Jim Wexell came up with a book's worth of them about the beloved former Pittsburgh Steelers star strong safety — 432 pages, in fact.

"Troy is the most mysterious sports figure and the most liked in Pittsburgh," said Wexell, of Irwin, who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers for various outlets since 1995. "When Troy didn't want to be interviewed for the book, it made me work harder."

Polamalu is a NFL Pro Bowler, Steelers Hall of Honor inductee and a member of the 2020 Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

The self-published "Polamalu: The Inspirational Story of Pittsburgh Steelers Strong Safety Troy Polamalu" is available on Amazon ($32.95, ebook version $9.99), area bookstores and on Wexell's website.

Wexell will be holding book signings at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Second Chapter Books in Ligonier and at 1 p.m. Sunday at Completely Booked store in the Blue Spruce Plaza in Murrysville.

"It is great to have the opportunity to host Jim and this wonderful book about Troy," said owner Cam Kovach, who sold two of the books on Monday. "I think this would be a great Father's Day gift."

Wexell interviewed more than 50 people, whom he calls the "cast of characters," over 12 years. The book spans from Polamalu's draft day to his retirement from the NFL after 12 seasons and two Super Bowl championships. It includes insight from his time at Douglas High School in Oregon, University of Southern California and with the Steelers. Wexell traveled to Oregon, Southern California and Washington, D.C., for the Library of Congress as well as throughout Western Pennsylvania for interviews.

Former teammate Ryan Clark said he was invited to work out with Polamalu. Before they touched one weight, they prayed.

"I think his unselfishness almost makes you ashamed that you aren't like that," Clark said. "The way that he gives to people, the way he gives to himself, I think all of those things make a better person."

Wexell said if he could ask Polamalu one question, it would be about his spirituality.

"Troy is the only one who can answer that question," Wexell said. "I can't get that from Bill Cowher, Pete Carroll or Dick LeBeau. A coach isn't going to tell me that."

Polamalu and his wife, Theodora, became Greek Orthodox Christians in 2007.

The book includes insight from teammates such as James Harrison, Ryan Clark and Hines Ward.

Wexell talked with Polamalu's uncle, aunts and cousins. He learned that Polamalu descended from a Samoan king, that he changed his last name to that of the uncle who raised him, and that he had a not-so-perfect childhood.

The book is set up as an oral history, modeled after books written by Alan Paul, an Allderdice High school graduate who grew up in Squirrel Hill and edited the book. The Pittsburgh-based graphic designer was Pamela Diana.

"Troy is a guy who sets examples," Wexell said. "There is so much to learn from him. He dealt with success and failure in a humble way and he shows us all how to treat people."

A line in the book recalls Polamalu being named first-team All American in his junior season at USC. When the sports information director Tim Tessalone told the player about this, "he started crying." Weeks later he was named the team's most valuable player and had a record-setting 20 tackles, a Las Vegas Bowl record.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Polamalu's "passion, love, respect and appreciation for the game were always on display, and that made him a no-maintenance guy. The splash plays will be the highlight that they show when they talk about the impact of his career, the fingertip interception in the snow in San Diego, all of those things. But what really stands out to me are those seemingly mundane football plays that he made really unique by doing unique things,l like an angle tackle where he exploded and was absolutely the fastest guy on the field."

On Jan. 18, 2009, with 4:30 remaining in the AFC Championship game, the Steelers led the Baltimore Ravens 16-14 at Heinz Field. Polamalu, who wore No. 43, reached up for a Joe Flacco pass. He intercepted it at the Baltimore 40 yard line, and ran to the end zone to secure a place in Super Bowl, you guessed it, 43.

Teammate Heath Miller described it as "probably the signature play of his Hall of Fame career. A very timely play that probably only he can make."

Asked about his favorite chapter, Wexell said:

"They're all my babies. The Steelers' championship years are great, and I love his childhood chapter, but my personal favorite is the first chapter with the great pre-draft mock story that led to Troy being drafted by the Steelers."

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact JoAnne at 724-853-5062, jharrop@triblive.com or via Twitter .