Troy Polamalu's hair insured for $1,000,000

[Auggie]

Associated Press / August 30th, 2010

PITTSBURGH -- Just call Troy Polamalu the man with the million dollar hair.

The long, flowing black hair that tumbles out of Polamalu's helmet and down his back -- it's nearly three feet long -- has been insured for $1 million by Head and Shoulders, the shampoo brand that is endorsed by the Pittsburgh Steelers safety. The insurance was obtained through Lloyd's of London, which did not reveal what must be done to Polamalu's hair for anyone to collect on the policy.

Polamalu's hair has been targeted by an opposing NFL player at least once -- the Chiefs' Larry Johnson tackled Polamalu by the hair during a 49-yard interception return in a 2006 game.

Polamalu, a five-time Pro Bowl player, wears his hair long as a tribute to his Samoan heritage.

LINK: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5513644



:wtf:

[joeybee12]

1. I'm thinking Gloria Gaynor...

anyone else?

[Auggie]

2. It's crazy

Offensive linemen take great care to tuck their jerseys in as tight as they can so the defense won't have anything to grab onto. I know Polamalu plays a different position -- safety -- but still, if he's been tackled by the hair it's just not a game time liability but potential for serious neck injury. I'm surprised the Rooneys let him wear it like that.

[joeybee12]

3. You'd think he'd pay tribute to his heritage AFTER he retires...

like you said, it's a safety issue.

[JonLP24]

6. It is why Edgerring James cut his hair

He was tired of it getting pulled.

Fitzgerald still has long hair and I recall him acknowledging he gets his hair pulled while being tackled as early as his rookie year.

Let him? What can they do? Cut him if he doesn't cut his hair?

[rocktivity]

7. I guess someone's neck will have to get broken

before the league takes a stand.


rocktivity

[caraher]

11. So it's legal to tackle by the hair?

Seems like that's really in the same safety category as facemasking.

[Auggie]

13. Good question. The answer is yes.

It's called the Rick Rule after Ricky Williams

Ricky (Williams) rule -- rule declared that hair could not be used to block part of the uniform from a tackler and, therefore, an opposing player could be tackled by his hair (aka "The Ricky Rule" due to Williams' long dread-locks). Enacted in 2003.

LINK: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League_lore

[Auggie]

10. I guess they can't make him cut it

But they should try. The Rooneys are paying Troy a ton of guaranteed money.

[Forkboy]

4. Throw that man a guitar and he could be Buzz Osborne!

[KamaAina]

5. Up until now, I've been willing to give him a pass on the hair

because he plays some industrial-strength D (when healthy). Now, however, it appears that it really is all about the hair after all. :eyes:

[caraher]

12. Well, it's H&S that took out the policy

It's all about publicity for Troy and the shampoo makers. It's not like somebody's gonna tear it all clean off his head during a game!

[rocktivity]

8. Lloyd's usually insures against fire, theft or loss...

:crazy:
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[El Supremo]

9. I think Manny Ramirez is getting his dreads cut today.

The White Sox have an an "appearance policy".

[rocktivity]

14. I hear he's bringing in his barber via private jet to do the cutting

and knowing him, he'll send White Sox management the bill. He cut off only about two inches' worth of his dreadlocks when he joined the Dodgers.

I also heard he gave his first press conference with the White Sox via a Spanish translator. But you don't need a translator to understand "I am the master, you are the slaves."

They call it "Manny just being Manny." I call it "a sadistic egomaniac just being a overgrown brat."

:headbang:
rocktivity