Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Shamarko Thomas is determined to fill the void in the club's secondary following the retirement of Troy Polamalu.
Polamalu ended his 12-year career in the NFL earlier in the off-season after deciding that he wanted to spend more time with his family.
The 24-year-old has admitted that he wants to step up to replace Polamalu to solidify the Steelers' secondary for coming seasons after approaching the future Hall of Famer for advice.
"I definitely am closer to him than I am to anybody," Thomas told reporters.
"My second year, I went to him in the off-season and said that I want to be great, and he just told me that being great isn't just about being a great football player.
"It's putting God first and your family, and everything else will fall into place."
Thomas has recorded 34 tackles and one forced fumble in his two seasons in the NFL.
