Troy Polamalu, Clay Matthews and the Best Long Haired Athletes

Well the Super Bowl has come to a close, and in the Hair Bowl, Clay Matthews edged out Troy Polamalu in the end. 

Of course, Super Bowl XLV was bigger than Matthews vs. Polamalu, but perhaps one of the more zany hype machines we heard leading up to the Big Game was who had the better hair, Matthews or Polamalu? Was it Polamalu's curls of chaos, which happened to be insured by Lloyds of London, or the the long locks of Matthews.

Matthews won the game. The hair is still up for debate. So perhaps the only way to settle this is to see where each player ranks in terms of some of the best long-haired male athletes around. 

15. Mike Ricci, C, NHL

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SAN JOSE, CA - 2007: Mike Ricci of the San Jose Sharks poses for his 2007 NHL headshot at photo day in San Jose, California. (Photo by Getty Images)

Ricci's totals were modest (243 goals, 605 points in 1,099 career games), but it was his hair that made him noticed around the league. He did have one 30 goal season but eventually grew (no pun intended) into his role as a pest and one of the better defensive centers in the league.

And when you're in a ESPN commercial wearing a witch hat, you've done something right. But more than the hair, Ricci parlayed his hair and style into a 16-year career, notably with Colorado and San Jose.

14. Bronson Arroyo, SP, MLB

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 08: Bronson Arroyo #61 of the Cincinnati Reds leaves in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on October 8, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Bronson Arroyo might have been one of the first male athletes to ever put extensions in his cornrows, according to a USA Today piece a few years back.

But whatever he did, it's helped with his career. He's been a serviceable pro as a reliever turned back-of-the-rotation starter, a serviceable pro who just happens to have a Gold Glove, an All-Star appearance and won a World Series. And he's a rock star, too. Which I guess makes sense, look at the hair.

13. Al Harris, CB, NFL

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GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 13: Al Harris #31 of the Green Bay Packers participates in warm-ups before a game against the Chicago Bears on September 13, 2009 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bears 21-15. (Photo by Jonathan

Most might not remember Harris for his long dreadlocks that stuck out of the back of his helmet. Most will remember that he teamed with Mike McKenzie to become one of the better corner tandems in the league at the beginning of this century in Green Bay.

Harris has made the Pro Bowl two times in his career, but he'll always be celebrated in Green Bay for making Matt Hasselbeck eat his ill-advised words in the 2004 NFC Wild Card. Hasselbeck famously said the Seahawks would score in overtime.

Well, Harris' interception of Hasselbeck ensured someone scored, but not the Seahawks.

12. Ryan Smyth, LW, NHL

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DALLAS - JANUARY 22: Ryan Smyth of the Western Conference All-Stars (Edmonton Oilers) poses for a portrait for the 2007 NHL All-Star Game at the American Airlines Center on January 22, 2007 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

For someone who made a living being in front of the net and creating havoc for opposing goaltenders, the mullet Smyth sported at times is a perfect fit for him and his play.

He was the heart and soul of the late 90s Oiler teams and he's made a great career for himself as a grinder and for his international resume, earning him the nickname "Captain Canada".

11. David Beckham, MF, Soccer

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ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - DECEMBER 01: David Beckham speaks to the media during an England press conference ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2018 host countries annoucement at the Swissotel on December 1, 2010 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Michael Regan/Gett

Beckham's cut his hair somewhat from a couple of years ago, when his hair looked like a real-life copy of Jar Jar Binks from "The Phantom Menace"

But despite what you may think of him, he makes this list because of his stature as one of the more recognizable soccer stars in the world and one of the world's biggest athletes. Although one can definitely make the case players like Messi have passed him in terms of on-field popularity.

10. Joakim Noah, PF, NBA

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 10: Joakim Noah #13 of the Chicago Bulls moves past Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers at the United Center on December 10, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Lakers 88-84. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowle

Until the Florida Gators, Noah was better known as the son of tennis star Yannick Noah. But he forged his own identity on the back-to-back National Champions possibly because of his haircut, but more for his style as an aggressive rebounder and a force in the paint, something that's carried him through the NBA.

He's now one of the cornerstones of the young and energetic Bulls team that's become a major player in the Eastern Conference.

9. Johnny Damon, OF, MLB

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BOSTON - OCTOBER 02: Johnny Damon #18 of the Boston Red Sox runs to first base during the game against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on October 2, 2005 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Who can forget Johnny Damon during his time with the Red Sox and his look like he just starred in the lead role of "Jesus Christ: Superstar"?

Damon came to the Red Sox as a skinny, clean-shaven leadoff hitter. He left as a power bat who looked a little like Robert Redford at the end of "Jeremiah Johnson" and a cult hero in Boston. Damon eventually left Fenway for the Bronx and became hated by Red Sox nation.

But he was one of the better center fielders in the game during his prime and became the symbol of those Red Sox clubs that finally reversed the curse.

8. Dennis Eckersley, P, MLB

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Pitcher Dennis Eckersley listens to speeches at 2004 Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies July 25, 2004 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

The mullet and moustache were just part of the entire package with Eckersley, who revolutionized the closer position and became one of only two pitchers to have a 20-win and a 50-save season in their career (John Smoltz being the other).

For anyone who doesn't remember him, he was Mariano Rivera before there was a Mariano Rivera. And Kirk Gibson was his Luis Gonzalez.

He eventually retired but the hair remained, even when he was elected into the Baseball Hall Of Fame.

7. Manny Ramirez, OF/DH, MLB

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ST PETERSBURG, FL - FEBRUARY 01: Johnny Damon #22 and Manny Ramirez #24 of the Tampa Bay Rays talk with reporters at a press conference at Tropicana Field on February 1, 2011 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

The "Manny Being Manny" show has pulled up in Tampa Bay for the season, and while he's become somewhat of a baseball nomad during the past year, some things never change with Manny. One of them being those trademark dreads that cover the back of his jersey in the middle of all those memorable antics.

Who can forget disappearing into the Green Monster, cutting off a cut-off throw, high-fiving a fan as he finished off a double-play in Baltimore. All classic moments. But more people will see the dreads and probably think of one of the most dangerous right-handed hitters in history.

6. Andre Agassi, Tennis

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29 JUN 1993: ANDRE AGASSI OF THE UNITED STATES PLAYS A TWO-HANDED BACKHAND DURING HIS QUARTER-FINAL MATCH AGAINST PETE SAMPRAS OF THE USA AT THE 1993 WIMBLEDON TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS. SAMPRAS WON THE MATCH AND PROCEEDED TO THE FINAL.

Agassi's hair was the symbol of the mid-1990s Agassi: brash and confident. He was a breakout star in tennis, especially compared with the usually reserved Pete Sampras. But this brash, haired Agassi wasn't able to break through into the game's elite.

Ironically, it wasn't until Agassi shaved off the mullet and calmed down that he turned into one of the best and most revered players in the world. Who can forget the love he received at his final U.S. Open?

5. Tim Lincecum, SP, MLB

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SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 03: Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants waves to the crowd during the San Francisco Giants victory parade on November 3, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Nothing about Tim seems normal. His happy-go-lucky demeanor, his joyful manner on the mound, even his unique delivery and his interesting haircut. Perhaps the most weird thing about him: How someone that size can unleash a fastball that devastating?

One of the best young pitchers in the game and a perfect fit for the eclectic World Series Champs. Does it surprise anyone that he's become a star in Northern California?

4. Randy Johnson, SP, MLB

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8 Jun 1998: Randy Johnson #51 of the Seattle Mariners in action during a game against the San Francisco Giants at 3 Com Park in San Francisco, California. The Giants defeated the Mariners 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr. /Allsport

In his prime, Johnson just looked intimidating. The large stature, the scraggly mullet sticking out of his cap, his cold, calculating eyes sticking over his glove as he set his fingers. Johnson looked like the most intimidating pitcher in baseball. And all that came before he blew you away with that high-90s fastball.

You can make the argument in his prime, Johnson was the most dominant pitcher in baseball, hitting his pinnacle when he teamed up with Curt Schilling and carrying the Arizona Diamondbacks on their backs to a championship. 

3. Clay Matthews, OLB, NFL

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates with teammates late in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Ge

Matthews is quickly becoming one of the best defensive players in the league and could've very easily been the Defensive Player of the Year if it wasn't for Polamalu winning in a very close vote. Matthews had a great argument for it too, with him being near the top of the league in sacks.

He'll have to settle for being a Super Bowl Champion on a team that could very well become the dominant power in the NFC. Tough break for him.

2. Jaromir Jagr, RW, Pittsburgh

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5 Dec 1998: Rightwinger Jaromir Jagr #68 of the Pittsburgh Penguins looks on during a game against the Boston Bruins at the Fleet Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeated the Penguins 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Steve Babineau /Allsport

Jagr is more than the 646 career goals and the 1,599 career points. After Mario Lemieux retired the first time, he was the Pittsburgh Penguins. The dekes, the dangles, the famous salute after every goal. Jagr was one of the best players in Penguins history and one of the offensive forces of the 1990s.

His hair was almost as much a trademark of his as his yellow skate laces, which he wore throughout his career. Even as he got older and the mullet vanished, Jagr was still a great talent. His last great hurrah was in 2005-06, when he had arguably the best offensive season a Ranger's ever had, setting the franchise single-season records for goals and points.

1. Troy Polamalu, SS, NFL

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Jordy Nelson #87 of the Green Bay Packers catches a pass and runs 38 yards as Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers knocks him out of bounds during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Te

Polamalu's hair is an extension of his style: wild, instinctive and chaotic. Polamalu is the best ball-hawking safety in the league, making plays wherever he is on the field. 

He's one of those players teams have to gameplan around, and full kudos should be given to the Packers for neutralizing him in the Super Bowl. Although that hair can be problematic for him, as proven by the time Larry Johnson tackled him by his hair.

Despite his loss in the Super Bowl, Polamalu's still one of the best players in the game. And hey, his hair is now chaotic, yet manageable.