Polamalu finds himself in the spotlight

Steelers safety a star, reluctant as he may be

After missing 11 games in 2009 with a knee injury, Troy Polamalu was named the league’s top defender in 2010. (Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press)

By Shalise Manza Young

Globe Staff / February 5, 2011

FORT WORTH — The Steelers’ secondary fancies itself to be football’s version of the Jackson 5.

According to safety Ryan Clark, he is Jermaine, and corners Ike Taylor, William Gay, and Bryant McFadden are Tito, Randy, and Marlon, respectively.

And Troy Polamalu, the do-everything safety who was named the 2010 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, is Michael.

“Michael was the star. Troy’s a star,’’ the excitable Clark explained. “As reluctant as he is to be a star, he is.’’

To say that Polamalu is soft-spoken is an understatement. Reporters chatting with him during the Steelers’ interview periods this week at Texas Christian’s basketball arena strained to hear him speak, even while sitting just a couple of feet away.

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