http://orp.live.mediaspanonline.com/ALM/Story/O__Brien_Polamalu_4_18The Steelers' Troy Polamalu moves to the beat of a different drummer.
When the Steelers are doing conditioning drills, Polamalu is seldom in step with the rest of his teammates. He gets ready in his own way. Bill Cowher left him alone to do his own thing.
While most of the Steelers have been participating the past few weeks in "voluntary" conditioning sessions at their South Side complex, Polamalu took a break to go on a religious pilgrimage, visiting shrines in Turkey and Greece.
Most serious Steelers' fans know that Polamalu is of Samoan descent, but few know that he joined the Greek Orthodox Church. He was married to Theodora in services at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on the North Side, and he was baptized by total immersion in a baptistery pool at a Greek Orthodox church in Oakmont. His wife's mother is of Greek heritage.
Polamalu is now nearing the end of a 12-day religious tour with a group of men from the Greek Orthodox community in Pittsburgh. Among those accompanying the group are Father George Livanos of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Canonsburg and Father John Touloumes of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.
It is a period for meditation and prayer and a renewal of faith.
I learned about Polamalu's pilgrimage involvement from an old friend. Manuel "Buns" Pihakis was serving patrons at the annual two-day Greek Food Festival at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church last Wednesday when I paid a visit to see him and his friend Frank Sarris. Both are pillars of this beautiful church.
Pihakis introduced me to Dorothea Livanos, the wife of Father George. She was reluctant to discuss what Polamalu was doing, for fear she was intruding on his private life, but she talked enthusiastically about what her husband and the other men were doing in Turkey and Greece.
I told her I had been talking to Polamalu two weeks earlier when he played for the Steelers' basketball team in Bethel Park, and how I had been struck by his demeanor when I met and talked with him three years ago at St. Vincent College in Latrobe. He seemed so different from most of the Steelers and pro athletes in general.
He is quiet, soft-spoken, quick with a smile, pleasant with people of all ages, engaging once you break through the barrier and deeply spiritual. Yet he's a Pro Bowl demon on the football field. There's more to Troy Polamalu than that long black hair of his.
I compared him to a Greek pastry they were offering at a nearby table. "He seemed so sweet, like baklava," I said.
"And they both pack a lot of power," declared Dorothea, and she smiled at her own observation.
I checked with other friends of mine to learn more about Polamalu's conversion to the Greek Orthodox faith. Stella and Gus Kalaris operate a popular ice ball stand at West Park on the North Side, not far from the Holy Trinity Church they attend and support faithfully.
They confirmed that Polamalu was, indeed, a member of their church. "He participates in a lot of the services," said Gus Kalaris. "He's even taken an active part in processions during Easter. Everyone respects his space, but they are happy to have him there."
To which Stella added, "He's such a nice young man. He seems almost shy."
I told them about an experience I had with Polamalu, a few months after I met him for the first time. He approached me as I was signing books during the holiday season of 2004 at Monroeville Mall. He said hello and introduced me to Theodora, then his girl friend. That's so unusual for a ballplayer to do that.
Later, he waved to me and smiled as he passed on the other side of the walkway. Fifteen minutes later, he showed up in front of me and set a steaming hot cinnamon bun on the table. He smiled and walked away without a word.
Bob Milie of Mt. Lebanon, a trainer with the Steelers in the glory days of the '70s, shared a story about Polamalu: "My cousin was out to dinner at an Italian restaurant in Sarver, up beyond New Kensington. Troy Polamalu and his wife were eating there that same evening. Everyone was discreet enough not to disturb them during dinner.
"After finishing his meal, Polamalu rose and asked for everyone's attention. He thanked everyone for not disturbing him and his wife while they were dining. He then announced, in appreciation, that he was picking up the tab for everyone, and that he'd sign autographs for a few minutes before he left. How about that?"
Yes, indeed, Troy Polamalu moves to the beat of a different drummer.
Alexandr
They could use some divine intervention. 
