Mike Tomlin shares stories of Travis Kelce and Troy Polamalu

During an appearance on the New Heights podcast, former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin shared anecdotes regarding former players and his early impressions of Travis Kelce.

Kelce recounted his pre-draft meeting with Tomlin during the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine, noting how the coaching staff used a dimly lit room and the image of legendary defensive tackle Joe Greene to intimidate prospects. Tomlin confirmed the tactic was intentional, noting that Kelce’s intense attitude gave him a “risky edge” that made him an intriguing but unpredictable prospect. Despite recognizing Kelce's talent, the Steelers ultimately passed on the tight end during the draft.

Tomlin also spoke about former Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, describing him as a patient individual despite his intense playing style. He shared stories regarding Polamalu’s children and noted that Polamalu’s eldest son, Paisios, has committed to playing football at Stanford.