Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers is No. 1!

I am not one really too much into football but I pay a little attention to our Pittsburgh Steelers since I live in Pennsylvania and their team is only about an hour away.

My son is a faithful fan. He's in the Army and moves every three years but I always have a good idea what I can send him for gifts. One year while he served in Iraq I received an email asking for a Steelers clock. I guess all the guy and girls were competing for their football teams. Thank goodness that year his team won the Super Bowl.

So from that and the little bit of knowledge I at least recognize the most popular players. That's probably more because they are the ones you hear about the most

One player that stands out to me is Troy Polamalu. Not only because he is a very good player and always seems to turn up where ever the football is but also from his life off the football field.

You have read my stories from meeting people and processing photos at work. Some of the most heartbreaking stories are those of parents with children who are sick. Children fighting cancer and other illnesses. Some of them not winning. As I said before, when dealing with photography you are always entering other people's lives. You hear the good and the bad. Even though I live near Pittsburgh I was very surprised at first to hear what I am about to explain.

I'll never forget the first time I was helping someone with pictures and asked "Isn't that........?" Yes they said and proudly explained how kind this man was. How Troy Polamalu would take his off time and visit the Children's Hospital. He did not just pop in a room, sign an autograph and leave. I am sure for many even that would have been a big deal. This man would visit, get to know these people and come back at times.

This is not the only family I've heard this from. It is one of several families that have shared these stories with me through pictures and time. This man would take these families out to dinner. Visit them with Christmas gifts. Stop in to play games and enjoy time with their children. He was there for birthdays. He also included his own family at times. What a way to make a child forget the cruel disease which is tearing their little life apart if only for a short while.

I, as an adult have never had cancer. I have dealt with it in my life with a husband and my mother. I can only imagine how a child or the parents would feel.

At times I have noticed Mr. Polamalu take the time to kneel and pray on the field. I feel it is wonderful that someone that has been so blessed by God takes the time to appreciate, remember and share.

I understand that many celebrities do the same. I am only sharing my story because I was so fortunate to see a little part of it. To see the tears in the eyes of the grateful parents sharing with me. Parents that came home to get changes of clothes, touch base at home, process some memories and head back to the hospital.