Published February 04, 2011
| FoxNews.com
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Pittsburg Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (AP)
NFL Pittsburgh Steelers star Troy Polamalu may be famous for his defense skills (and his long hair) but he's doing more than just playing a part on the field at the Super Bowl this year.
Last week Polamalu became the face of a Twitter-based charity auction, TwitChange which gives fans a chance to bid on an opportunity to interact with their favorite celebrities - like Alyssa Milano, Kim Kardashian, Shaquille O'Neal and about 200 other prominent personalities - on Twitter. All proceeds from the campaign will go directly to US Soldiers through the foundation, Operation Once in a Lifetime, which supports active duty and retired members of the military and their families with special requests and urgent needs.
But even amid the craziness of preparing for one of the biggest games of his life, Polamalu has made it a priority to promote this initiative which is so close to his own heart.
"I experienced first-hand the tragedies, psychological and emotional effects of war through my own family members. One cousin was deeply affected by 'Gulf War Syndrome' going from 235 pounds to 85 pounds. When asked what happened to him or what was being done to help him he replied, 'They don't know, and they don't want to know.' He was a Gulf veteran who died shortly thereafter," Polamalu told FOX411's Pop Tarts in an exclusive interview.
"On any given night as many as 200,000 veterans are homeless with another 1.5 million at risk of losing their homes,” he added. “These are people who willingly make the greatest, most selfless sacrifice any American could make. Yet these people sometimes receive little support when they return.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2011/02/04/exclusive-nfl-star-troy-polamalu-teams-kim-kardashian-alyssa-milano-benefit/#ixzz1D2XwWr27
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