Steelers legend Troy Polamalu snubbed from the NFL 100 All-Time Team

NFL Network is in the process of releasing their top 100 all-time players list, but Steelers legend Troy Polamalu apparently didn’t make the cut.

The NFL Network is at it again, and Steelers fans aren’t taking too kindly to the results on their recent list. Every year, the network puts out a list of their top 100 players from the previous season, but this year they elected to whip up a list of the top 100 NFL players of all time.

Boy, was that ever a mistake.

The NFL Network revealed a list of defensive backs and special teams players who made the cut. Steelers legend, Troy Polamalu, was not among them.

While two Pittsburgh Hall of Famers (Mel Blount and Rod Woodson) joined the list of all-time greats, Polamalu was nowhere to be found. Instead, some rather interesting names took his place.

Remarkably, Polamalu was not among the 6 safeties selected to the list of all-time greats. Ahead of him were players like Jack Christiansen – a safety who played just 8 years from 1951-9158. Polamalu was also ousted by Ken Houston and Larry Wilson in the 60’s and 70’s, and Emlen Tunnell – a safety who started his career back in 1948.

But the disrespect to Troy Polamalu doesn’t end here. A pair of punters in Shane Lechler and Ray Guy made the list over one the all-time great defensive play-makers.

I take these lists with a grain of salt, and I seldom agree with any of the bogus rankings NFL Network throws up on their list. Don’t let this panel of ‘experts’ change your mind; Troy Polamalu was one of the best safeties of all-time.

Though 6 of his 12 seasons were cut short due to injury, Polamalu managed to earn First-Team All-Pro honors in 4 of 6 seasons where he started at least 14 games. He was even voted into the Pro Bowl after playing as few as 11 games in a season.

Polamalu missed 32 games from 2006 to 2012, but he shouldn’t be discredited for his time spent on the sideline. When on the field, he would put his body on the line for his team each and every game.

Regardless of what the folks at NFL Network have to say, Troy Polamalu (for my money) is one of the best safeties of all-time. And it is shameful to see some of the names who made the list over one of football’s most iconic players.