PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA (BNO NEWS) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers' safety Troy Polamalu on Monday was selected as the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, the NFL's official website reported.

Polamalu, 29, of Garden Grove, California, received 17 votes over upcoming Super Bowl rival Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews' 15 from a nationwide panel of 50 media members.

The six-time Pro-Bowler, who was also selected in the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team, has led the Steelers' defense with 7 interceptions and 63 tackles, despite missing two games.

Matthews is only in his second NFL season, but he has shown strong performances throughout the season with 60 tackles, 13 and a half sacks and an interception that was returned for a touchdown.

Polamalu becomes the sixth Steeler to be named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

The Steelers and the Packers will be facing each other during Sunday's Super Bowl game at Cowboy Stadium.

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