Troy Polamalu Says He’ll Return to Heinz Field in 2021 for Hall of Honor Recognition

The Steelers have held many events honoring the Super Bowl victories of 2005 and 2008. During those events, all former players, coaches, and personnel were invited back, but one very important face was missing at all of them. Since his retirement following the 2014 season, Troy Polamalu has not publicly been back into Heinz Field. With conceived rocky relations between Polamalu and the Steelers organization about Polamalu’s retirement, many assumed Polamalu was purposefully not returning to Pittsburgh as a result.

However, it appears that in 2021, those fortunes will change. On a call with the media on Wednesday, Polamalu stated his intentions to not only return to Heinz Field this year, but he wants to be there more than once. With the Steelers sending Polamalu into the Hall of Honor, he will also be in attendance for that as well.

“Yes, god-willing I will get to Heinz Field this year,” Polamalu said. “I would like to get to Heinz Field for a few games.”

The first appearance Polamlau makes at Heinz Field will end a seven-year drought of non-appearance from him. Luckily, it seems that Polamalu and the Steelers are in a good place with their relationship. When the topic of timing for his retirement came up, Polamalu shared gratitude.

“You know, I am grateful for that timing because it was actually the perfect time,” Polamalu said. “Without that timing, I would not have the body I have now. I would miss out on many of the memories I have had with my family.”

Even when asked just about why he has not been in Pittsburgh or at Heinz Field very often, Polamalu noted that family is the true reason why he is often unable to make it to those events.

“The main reason I haven’t been able to get out to Pittsburgh is that my kids play sports and so I am always attending those,” Polamalu said.

Polamalu will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 7, 2021, alongside Bill Cowher and Donnie Shell.

He was named to the Steelers’ 2020 Hall of Honor Class, which is expected to be recognized at some point this season at Heinz Field.