It's not just the hair…well, actually, maybe it is.

I’m so completely late on posting this…but I well, whatever…enjoy…

So, everyone knows the sports marketing industry is HUGE, right? It accounts for more than $50 billion dollars and approximately $100 billion globally….in other words, athletes schlepping products is BIG BUSINESS. Michael Jordan was king of endorsements (Nike+Hanes, etc); then there was Shaquille O’Neill (those heated muscle ache pads etc); and what about Peyton Manning (Mastercard)?  And how could I leave Tiger off that list..he’s got like 20 companies he endorses!

Many athletes make way more money from endorsements and other commercial activities than they do from salary and winnings (See Tiger, above).

So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Steelers very own Troy Polamalu has entered the endorsement game. In fact, I am sure everyone has seen the commercial.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGFVnFoNnt4

In an email I received recently, April Dinwoodie of Marina Maher Communications in New York wrote:

“It’s not just his skills as a two-time Super Bowl Champion that sets Troy apart.  Troy’s hair, his well-known trademark, is a tribute to his Samoan roots and, in his culture, represents power and strength.  For Troy, taking care of his hair and scalp is important, and to that end, he has recently become the official spokesperson for Head and Shoulders (R).”

Wow.  Thanks April, I had no idea *sarcasm*.  And go ahead Troy – you might as well make a bundle off those locks….

But really, I can’t think of anyone in Steeler Nation who wouldn’t rather just see Troy get better and not have to see his hair in a bun (thank you for pointing that out @Inkognegro) on the sidelines anymore.  We want to see it whipping around the field, or heck, at this point I’d even accept him getting tackled by his hair!!  That would mean he got a pick and that’s the kind of excitement our defense needs right now…that and the leader to come back.  So, Troy, take your time and heal, come back and win us some games!!

The other thing Troy and Head and Shoulders did is grant 7 wishes to soldiers via a partnership with Operation Once in a Lifetime – a non profit dedicated to making soldiers dreams come true.

Go ahead Troy….Steeler Nation loves you.