CANTON, Ohio -- Troy Polamalu's status for Saturday's Hall of Fame induction ceremony was put in doubt after the tested positive for COVID-19, but the former Steelers star has arrived in Canton after being medically cleared and will deliver his speech in front of a packed house inside Tom Benson Stadium.
Polamalu missed Thursday night's Hall of Fame Game as well as Friday night's Gold Jacket Dinner. He did take part in Saturday morning's parade through downtown Canton.
"Happiness can't describe it," Polamalu said when asked how it felt to take part in the parade.
‘Happiness can’t describe it.’ - @tpolamalu loving the Hall of Fame Grand Parade. pic.twitter.com/n2saFDLbmq
— Teresa Varley (@Teresa_Varley) August 7, 2021
Before the festivities began on Saturday night, Polamalu received his gold jacket in front of a partisan Steelers crowd.
Troy Polamalu just received his gold jacket. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/pIJsIPj7Pz
— BryanDeArdo (@BryanDeArdo) August 7, 2021
Polamalu will be presented by Dick LeBeau, the Steelers' defensive coordinator for 11 of Polamalu's 12 seasons in Pittsburgh. Polamalu and the rest of the Steelers were on hand when LeBeau's playing career was recognized by the Hall of Fame in 2010.
"As a football player, a special teams coach, a position coach, a coordinator, a head coach, nobody has done it all like he has," Polamalu said of LeBeau following Pittsburgh's Super Bowl XLIII victory. "He's done everything but own a team. He's more deserving than Vince Lombardi, if you're talking to me."
One of five Steelers who will be inducted this weekend, Polamalu took part in the Hall of Fame's annual parade Saturday morning. Along with Polamalu, former Steelers Bill Cowher, Bill Nunn, Alan Faneca and Donnie Shell will be inducted this weekend.
