An American footballer has endangered the macho image of the sport… by insuring his hair for $1 million.
The insurance policy on the hair of Pittsburgh Steelers defender Troy Polamalu was taken out with Lloyds of London by multinational corporation Proctor and Gamble for the Head and Shoulders shampoo brand, which the player promotes.
Polamalu, who was born in America but is of Samoan origin, is famous in the NFL for his flowing locks, which he hasn’t cut for over seven years.
Although American footballers wear helmets, the firm are worried about what the rigours of playing American football on a regular basis might do to Polamalu’s prized asset; he was once tackled by his ponytail after intercepting a pass.
Polamalu follows in the famous footsteps of celebrities who have had body parts insured by the famous British insurance firm. Welsh crooner Tom Jones once had his chest hair insured for £3.7 million; Dolly Parton insured her 42-inch bust for £350,000 and Heidi Klum once took out a policy worth £1.1 million pounds on her legs.
