Playing pick-up with a legend

[mesaSteeler]

(Totally cool story here. It will make you proud to be a Steeler fan! - mesa)


Playing pick-up with a legend
Dan bickley
http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/DanBickley/74722

We've all been there. Maybe it's at the mall. Maybe it's at the gym. Maybe it's happy hour at a hopping restaurant.

You look up, and suddenly, you're in the presence of a celebrity.

"I saw this guy in the crowd," said Camden Leiva, a 10-year old Phoenix resident attending his sister's volleyball tournament in Maryvale. "I said, 'Dad, isn't that Troy Polamalu?' "

Jeff Leiva found the Steelers star in the crowd He nodded in agreement.

"We're big Cardinals fans," he said. "We both watch a lot of football. My son has seen the Head & Shoulders commercials. But he had his hair pulled back tighter than you normally see on television."

The father immediately preached restraint. But when Polamalu headed for the concession stand, Camden made his move. A picture ensued. So did a small army of children requesting signatures, and it appears that Polamalu couldn't have been a better sport.

"He sat there for like 20 people, taking pictures, signing things," Jeff said. "Some guys will charge you for that stuff. But he signed everything from shirts to napkins."

And then Polamalu had a better idea. He gathered up some of the kids and headed outside for a game of pick-up football.

"My son disappeared for like 30 minutes, and when I went outside, I couldn't believe what I saw," Jeff said. "They were playing football on this narrow strip of pavement. Troy was diagramming plays for the kids. He was the designated quarterback."

Imagine that.

"He told us a bunch of plays in the huddle. He told me to run a fly route," Camden said. "And I caught it for a touchdown."

They played on until one of the teams reached eight touchdowns. Then Polamalu returned inside, apparently to watch his niece play volleyball, leaving behind a wake of stunned young athletes.

"We were all saying, 'Oh my God, we just played football with a NFL player!' " Camden said.

Since then, young Camden can't stop talking about Polamalu. He is currently badgering his father for a Polamalu jersey, unconcerned that his new hero once conspired against the Cardinals in the Super Bowl. And there's only one small problem:

Every time Camden tells his friends about the story, they all roll their eyes. Yeah, right.

"They don't believe me," Camden said.

Maybe this will help. (see URL for picture - mesa)

[Nadroj 20]

That is so cool. Can you imagine being those kids?!?!

Troy is such a great guy and yea it makes me proud to be a steeler fan and to see such an awesome guy in the black and gold!!

[M.C. Smith]

Awesome story, Troy seems to be such a genuine person. I can't wait until I meet him in March!

[solardave]

He's the REAL DEAL. I've heard other stories about Troy. What a great guy and a blessing to have on our team.

[SteelerFanInStl]

Thanks for the story. This is just another example of why Troy is such a great person. Other professional athletes need to take notes.

[steel striker]

Wow that is so cool and, it shows what kind of a person Troy is. I bet he made all of those lucky kids day forever. Nice read.

[Psyychoward86]

omg lucky kid.....that type of experience would make my childhood.

[43Hitman]

Originally Posted by Psyychoward86

omg lucky kid.....that type of experience would make my childhood.

You're right, that is something that will stay with him for a lifetime. Just think when Troy gets in the Hall, that kid will be able to say that not only has he met him, but he has also played a pick up game of back yard football with him.

God bless you Troy. Keep being a saint!

[SMR]

Wow.....

[steelerdude15]

Very classy guy!