Pittsburgh Steeler Troy Polamalu, left, autographs a shirt for Seneca Valley football player Nate Kouns during a Q&A session with local prep football players at Dick's Sporting Goods in Cranberry Township Saturday.

CRANBERRY TWP — When a young member of the front confidently stepped forward to ask a question, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu showed he was as adept at charming crowds as he is delivering big hits on the football field.

Polamalu, who has made eight Pro Bowls in his 12 years with the Steelers, was asked what he wanted for Christmas.

“I haven't thought about it. I'll have to get back to you on that,” Polamalu said. “Do you have a hook up with Santa or something?”

Polamalu answered a wide range of questions from a group of area high school football players and other spectators Saturday at the Dick's Sporting Goods on McKenzie Way in Cranberry. Students and coaches from Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, Mars, Pine-Richland, Seneca Valley and several other schools were in attendance.

When it comes to talking to high school and youth players, Polamalu said he wants to stress dedication.

“The importance of discipline, training and rehab, how that all intertwines with each other,” Polamalu said. “If you want anything out of life, you have to make a commitment. Sometimes it's sacrificing some of the things you love to do the most. Hanging out, going to the movies, partying, whatever it may be for different people. Today, I was here to talk about Hyperice and the discipline in regard to the training aspect.”

Polamalu is a part-owner of Hyperice, which also has endorsements from Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers and Hope Solo of the U.S. women's national soccer team. Hyperice makes ice compression wraps used in training and for rehabilitation.

Polamalu, who has missed two games this season with a knee injury, stressed the importance of recovery. Over his career, Polamalu has only played in all 16 regular season games five times.

“It's a product I truly believe in and a product I use,” Polamalu said. “The injuries that I've accrued over my career have been unavoidable. People falling on my knees, which has happened to me five or six times in my career. When you play in the box and this game, things like that are going to happen. Hyperice has been a key to my rehabilitation process.”

Polamalu has 32 interceptions, 12 sacks and 14 forced fumbles in his career. He's also played through a time of changing rules, forcing defenders to focus on not leading with their helmets and avoiding hits to opponents' heads. The transition took some getting used to.

“It's different. We're professional athletes and of course sometimes you're going to cross the line,” Polamalu said. “But it's something that's been bred our entire life. It's like a natural wrestling move to somebody that they take out of collegiate wrestling. Or them throwing no curveballs all of a sudden. It's going to be a tough adjustment, but we're professionals and have to adapt.”

The Steelers, who are 7-4 this season, had a bye last weekend. Pittsburgh will begin its search for its first playoff bid since 2011 when its hosts New Orleans at 1 p.m. Sunday at Heinz Field.

“There's still a lot of work to do,” Polamalu said. “We're in much better position than we've been in the past, but that's irrelevant. December football is where football is really played.”