Polamalu

The island is abuzz. One of their favorite sons is back for a victory lap. The local news media (meaning the three radio stations and the newspaper) have been avidly covering every aspect of Troy Polamalu's trip to American Samoa. Yesterday he hosted a press conference in Samoan and ran a football camp for high schoolers.

Troy's an example of Samoa's second most lucrative export, athletes. All the children here play sports. Through the searing heat and humidity, you can see kids playing volleyball rugby, football and the local version of cricket almost everyday.

The Samoans have a very special place in their heart for the NFL. Every village has a son that's gone on to success in the NCCA and the NFL. Though most of these players never return to live in the island, their families usually reap the wealth and benefits. The families that remain here live in larger homes, drive nice new cars and carry a certain prestige in the community. One of the Samoan families I have spent time with is the beneficiary of a son who played for the Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals for almost a decade. You can also see the family of a former famous Charger drives around in a pickup that is embossed with the lightning bolts from the teams helmet. That truck and its occupants also enjoy a beautiful large home overlooking Pago harbor. It's the Samoan version of the American Dream and on an island this small everyone is aware that's one of the easier the paths to prestige and glory for the children of Samoa and their families.