4 Jul 2013

Sport: Troy Polamalu begins high school camp in American Samoa

11:08 am on 4 July 2013

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu has begun a camp for football and volleyball in the US territory.

The 32 year old has brought a contingent of more than 80 people, including current and former NFL players of Samoan descent, coaches and spouses.

Polamalu says told a group of high school students that being Samoan in not just about speaking the language, but about practising traits like respect and humility.

"I learnt so much from our visit two years ago about the Fa'a Samoa. What I learnt, and what I learnt from you guys, is that it wasn't important for me to speak Samoan but it was to display the virtues of what Fa'a Samoa is. That's being humble, that's being respectful and that's being disciplined - not only on the football field but in the classroom. I think if we can all exercise those virtues throughout this camp we will set you on the right pace and get you guys wherever you need to go in life."

The camp runs for a week.