Quotes by Troy Polamalu

All of my Polynesian counterparts in the NFL with roots in American Samoa understand how the values embedded in our South Pacific culture - community, hard work, perseverance, respect - contribute directly to our success.

I dont look at football as a violent, barbaric sport. Its a very spiritual sport, especially for someone facing the challenges during a game: the fear of failure, the fear of getting too big an ego, of making a mistake and everybody criticizing you.

It takes a tremendous amount of skill to be a football player. And some of these guys have enough skills to do other sports. Soccer could be one. Basketball could be another. Things where you need incredible hand-eye coordination are always options. I think a football player would be able to adapt to a lot of sports.

Playing professional sports, its important to eat healthy and take care of your body. In the offseason, rest is really important to me.

If you dont eat right as an athlete, youll get tired and wont be as sharp. Its simple to drink sodas and sports drinks, but water is the most essential drink to put in your body.

My best vacation memory is getting barreled at the beach in Hawaii.

Pride is tough. You go to high school, and its pride, courage; its all these types of words that we use to motivate us. I dont think theres anywhere in the Scriptures through the saints lives where pride was ever a positive characteristic of anybody.

Ive never really been aware of what is said about me, whether its positive or negative. I ignore it. Ive always had the mind-set: No one can challenge me better than myself.

There are times I am happy. There are times I am sad. But I always try to separate emotion from the need to reach for something stronger, deeper. And then no matter the emotion, I can reach for a stability that helps me accomplish what is the goal.

I knew that I had it tough compared to children around me. But I felt like I needed it. I think I had the wisdom as a child to know that it would help me later on.