Why NFL Star Troy Polamalu Abstains From Sex 40 Days at a Time
- Posted on January 15, 2011 at 5:26pm by
Scott Baker
- Print »
- Email »
As I write this the Pittsburgh Steelers are in the first quarter of their playoff game with the Baltimore Ravens. The chicken wings are in the oven. The fireplace is sizzling. And Pittsburgh fans are watching for what amazing thing Troy Polamalu will do next.
I covered plenty of big Steelers games during my years as a TV news anchor in Pittsburgh, but I never met Polamalu. I saw him once or twice at a church we both used to attend. He is well known for his spiritual devotion. His discipleship path over the years led him to Orthodox Christianity.
I confess to using the headline to draw interest to this story, but there is a great deal to contemplate in a recent profile of Polamalu and his wife by Ann Rodgers, a perceptive religion reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
He and Theodora converted to Orthodoxy about five years ago. His background was Catholic and Protestant, hers Muslim and Protestant. They were Christians in search of a deeper, more consistent experience of God.
“Orthodoxy is like an abyss of beauty that’s just endless,” he said. “I have read the Bible many times. But after fasting, and being baptized Orthodox, it’s like reading a whole new Bible. You see the depth behind the words so much more clearly.”
Rodgers explores some of the differences in fasting practices among denominations, including the distinctions between the Greek Orthodox and Slavic traditions:
Mr. Polamalu is of Samoan heritage, and belongs to the Greek church, but fasts like a Russian.
His consists of a “fast from dairy, from meat and from oil for 40 days — as well as from sex,” he said. “It’s to prepare you for the birth of Christ, of God incarnate.”
Fasting doesn’t affect his football fitness, he said. “When you fast, you can eat extremely healthy by eating a lot of light food, like fruits and vegetables.”
There are other aspects to fasting.
“Maybe not watching as much TV, or not getting caught up in idle talk or different things, in order to keep you spiritually healthy,” he said.
The most important Orthodox fast is Great Lent, for 50 days before Easter.
When he has kept longer fasts “I have never felt more spiritually strong,” he said. Referring to great theologians of the early church, he said, “The church fathers have said that when you eat gluttonously or you eat a lot of meat, your passions get stronger, so your inclination toward sinning becomes stronger. … [Fasting] really does soften your passions. It gives you spiritual insight.”
Polamalu’s discussion of the relationship between faith and emotion is very much worth reading. Find it here.
Popular Stories
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 593 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 419 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 415 Comments
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 386 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 376 Comments
Faith
Arab-Muslim Character to Join DC Comics‘ ’Green Lantern’ Series Read More- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 419 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 415 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 386 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 151 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know 100 Comments- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 303 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 419 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (119)
Kiloshi
Posted on January 16, 2011 at 1:53amGo!!!! SEAHAWKS!!!!! But god bless you Troy your a good man..
Report Post »Rights of Man
Posted on January 16, 2011 at 1:51am40 days?!
Holy blue eggs, Batman!
I’ll “pass” on that one.
Report Post »Mickeyd
Posted on January 16, 2011 at 1:25amLove this guy! He’s an encouragement to many.
Report Post »OlefromMN
Posted on January 16, 2011 at 1:02amHe must be married. LOL
Report Post »Deda1
Posted on January 16, 2011 at 12:19amMore power to him.
Report Post »darlenekay
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 10:41pmI love you, Troy. Thanks for the victory. I love my Steelers. I was praying for you to win today. I knew God would grant my wish. Afterall, God is a Steelers fan.
Report Post »PittsburghVince
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 6:10amIt’s more likely because so many Steelers are God fans!
On to the AFC Championship — and (whew) it’s not in New England!
Report Post »SUPPLY_SIDE
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 10:22pmTo each his own.
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 9:58pmI won a contest
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 9:54pmNot too sure if i could do that when i was his age.
Report Post »usmc1063
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 9:54pmTroy Palamalu is one of the most loved players of the Steeler Nation it’s his dedication to his Faith his Family his community and team that makes him so special. Troy is the real deal and a great role model for fans everywhere. God Bless you and your family Troy you are a Steeler great that will go down in team and Pittsburgh history.
Report Post »RogueAmeritarian
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 9:42pmMy hats off to Troy, tough thing to do in his profession. On the lighter side, I haven’t had sex all year, and I’m married, that isn’t a shocker is it? My bad!!!
Report Post »Calamity Jane
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:59pmMy profession placed me in the Steeler locker room about 4 days a week before I retired. I’ve known all of the great athletes that have been members of this great team. But, I must say, Troy Polamalu is the real deal….He is the sort of person that you’d want your children to admire as a hero. Troy quietly goes about his life in the communities north of Pittsburgh, demonstrating the caring and goodness of a truly great individual. He will show up at certain charitable facilities and ask if there is anything he can do to help….Not like many pro athletes that will only help out in the community when there is a camera crew in tow. Polamalu is one of the few pro athletes that I have worked with that I can truly say that I admire for both his on and off field persona.
Scott Baker!….Dude! I haven’t seen you in a hundred years!…..I love the Blaze!
CJ……(guess who!)
Report Post »PittsburghVince
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 6:00amCJ, you can see Scott Baker here anytime (and everyone should): http://thebcast.com
Report Post »Patsplace
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:58pmGotta like it. Now that’s what I call a role model for kids of all ages.
Report Post »beefjerky
Posted on January 16, 2011 at 1:56amThe Bible says if you fast it should be in private and you hide it. (Mathew 6:18)
Report Post »This sounds more like a cult to me.
Whe your married your body is not your own, and abstaining is used with great caution.
( 1Corinthians 7:3-5)
You don’t do more that the Bible asks, you don‘t do less than the Bible ask’s, you just do what the Bible asks.
I think i’d be insulted if my spouse told me this =(.
Zivko
Posted on January 16, 2011 at 10:34amBeef Jerky, a cult?????????? really? The Orthodox Church considers itself the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church established by Jesus Christ and his Apostles almost 2,000 years ago.
A super mega feel good church it is not
Report Post »beefjerky
Posted on January 16, 2011 at 11:58amJus sayin….
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:48pmAnd I thought he was just another privileged NFL pretty boy…Cool.
Report Post »handloader
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:46pmWell, I have been a Steeler fan since 1968, and have seen a lot of great players come and go. Troy will be in the Hall of Fame someday, and it will be well deserved. I am glad to see that he is a man of faith also; it makes his story that much more interesting. Good for you, Troy, and I’ll be watching you in the AFC championship game next week.
Report Post »SlimnRanger
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:41pmFasting can bennifit anyone,and i know it will give you a closer relationship with God,but i for one have gotton away from that and i truly realize i need to start fasting again,I wish more of our proffesional athelets were more into seeking God instead of seeing drugs
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:39pmGOD BLESS AND PROTECT YOU, YOUR WIFE, YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR WITNESS for HIM. HE is counting on you. We are praying with and for you! Thank you for standing up!
Report Post »JohnnyJT
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:12pmWhy he is Samson.
Report Post »bry
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:58pmIt’s the hair.
Report Post »229Mick
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:11pmWait… He has sex!??!!?
Report Post »WireWizard
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 7:29pmSex is for rabbits. What’s up, Doc?
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 7:26pmWhatever he does it works as they were down by 14 at the half and are ahead by 3 in the fourth. Must be karma.
Report Post »mossbrain
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 7:25pmWhat is this sex that you speak of? Perhaps some of you ladies could post a detailed description so that I may better understand.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:00pmI forget!
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:36pmWhat is this sex that you speak of? Perhaps some of you ladies could post a detailed description so that I may better understand.
—-
Locate your local chapter of
Report Post »TEA party
and attend their meets.
You’ll be an expert in a few monthe
If the Piven of Cloward says , it must be true
;-)
Skwerl E. Muckenfutch
Posted on January 16, 2011 at 11:20amI think there are birds and bees involved. After all, the bees know.
Report Post »C. Schwehr
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 6:50pmBig deal…I’m single, an older guy, and it’s been two years.
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 7:36pmto much information.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 7:59pmJust two? My husband died New Year’s Eve 1998. It’s been so long for me, I’ll be a virgin again in a week!
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 9:16pmSHOWTIME, thanks for your comment. That must be a very difficult way to start the new year each year, I’m so sorry for your loss. I did, however, get a chuckle from your comments (and from some of the guys). God bless.
Report Post »RCScrolls
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 9:38pmYeah but thats probably not by choice, whole differant thing there buddy.!
Report Post »Go get a makeover LOL
Jsh1284
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 9:51pmI hope Bawney Fwank does not read this! He’ll be trying to court you!
Pwease mwake de decision to bwe hwomo swexual! Yew will gwet all da wub yew could want fwum me and Nancy Pewowsi! Yes, she’s weally a dwood.
Sledgehammer
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 6:47pmThat’s nothing! I’ve been married for 26 years, and need a calander to keep track!
Alvin691
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:24pmAmen my brother.
Report Post »James Daly
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:28pmPolamalu is a short-timer…. I could do that kind of time standing on my head.
Report Post »RCScrolls
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 9:35pmWell im welch and hungarian, my wife calls me well Hung LOL
I am Protestant as protest against heresies. the Christian Church aswell.
EP46
Posted on January 16, 2011 at 5:44amlol You gave me a good laugh ….does your posted ‘name’ have anything to do with this ‘problem’ lol
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 6:38pmGood luck.
Report Post »avenger
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 7:11pmthis is the beauty of the USA ! do your thing and not harm anyone….
Report Post »bry
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 7:48pmGuess he doesn’t belong to the Tea Party…we are all about sex!!! Whoo Hoo!! Party!
But he sure can be in our calender!
Report Post »booger71
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:09pmTry 40 months Bub
Report Post »Xcori8r
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:22pm“Mr. Polamalu is of Samoan heritage, and belongs to the Greek church, but fasts like a Russian”.
I am of Slovanian heritage, and hang at an Irish bar but fart like an Albanian.
nomatter732666
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:25pmGood Man Polamalu God Loves You very much! You have great direction from family and above my Brother. I also see many of the audiance here (below) worships materials, comedians, and themselves.
Report Post »royrescue
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:58pmI think sex w/yourself,is still sex?
Report Post »Marcobob69
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 9:45pmWhy would we possibly be interested in Troy Polomalu’s sex life, and why does this website continually cover this kind of crap??
Report Post »Xcori8r
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 10:02pmMaybe it not so bad to take a break from making fun of the stuff that’s wrecking the country by making fun of stuff that’s not wrecking the country.
Report Post »Patriots Fan
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 10:04pmWhatever! …….Now go get yourself a haircut, big guy …..you look like a woman!!
Report Post »timtritt
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 10:31pm@XCORI8R – That was about the funniest thing I read all night.
Report Post »hot22dog
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 10:51pmDoes anyone really care??????????
Report Post »Xcori8r
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 11:27pmY’know, looking at that top photo, my wife has bushy hair like that. Maybe that’s why I fast so much.
Report Post »JESUS-IS-LORD
Posted on January 16, 2011 at 12:32amWow, somebody in America has some sense. Now just ditch your “Greek church”, religion is man made. Lastly, it doesn’t matter what race you are, everybody should be fasting/praying at least one day a week preferably on Sabbath. Praise be to God, Amen.
Report Post »LadybugsTX
Posted on January 16, 2011 at 1:56amBless his heart and good for him for practicing what he believes. I have to admit though, as a female when I think of Polamalu and sex this isn’t what comes to mind….
Report Post »NeoFan
Posted on January 16, 2011 at 2:48amWOW!!! I am so glad to hear this!!!! This could save our country SPORTS FANS!!!!!
Yeah I know…We are doomed.
Report Post »EP46
Posted on January 16, 2011 at 5:43am@snow
Report Post »Sounds like the 40 Days Pledge…..maybe he watches Glenn
OneNationIndivisable
Posted on January 16, 2011 at 8:48amGreat story, he’s a prince of a human being.
Report Post »psst
Posted on January 16, 2011 at 9:48am@ XCOR
Report Post »That was some funny sheet.
HillBillySam1
Posted on January 16, 2011 at 10:12am@ XCOR18R
Report Post »You, kind sir, are obviously a man-about-the-world! I salute you!
seansgalleries.com
Posted on January 16, 2011 at 11:21am@marcobob69 You think this site covers too much sex, but your user name has 69 in it?
Report Post »moonpeace
Posted on January 16, 2011 at 12:53pmReally. I have to give the man credit. Even if I could go without for 40 days, I don‘t think I’d be able to think too much about anything else. Sometimes I think I might be better off getting it over with, just doing it and clearing my head…both of them.
Report Post »Two_Kids_Dad
Posted on January 16, 2011 at 5:40pmMarried men regularly abstain for much longer periods, whether they want to or not.
Report Post »