Study time is over for the NFL's reigning defensive player of the year.

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, who was drafted in 2003 after his senior season at USC but hadn't earned his degree, has been awarded a bachelor's in history from the school.

Troy Polamalu, a two-time All-American in college, took part Friday with more than 1,000 graduating master's and undergraduate students. Courtesy of USC / Paul Goldberg

Polamalu, a two-time All-American for the Trojans, took part with more than 1,000 master's and undergraduate students Friday morning in a commencement ceremony for USC's political science, international relations and history majors.

More than 6,000 people were in attendance for the the Shrine Auditorium event on the school's Los Angeles campus.

The student receiving the loudest cheer, though, was one of the oldest of the bunch: Polamalu, who was drafted 16th overall in 2003 by the Steelers.

"I'm officially a USC graduate!" the six-time Pro Bowler wrote on his website, troy43.com.

Polamalu, 30, returned to school this semester, using the NFL lockout as an opportunity to complete a long-term goal.

"I decided to finish what I started and walked that stage today not only because it was very important to me personally, but because I want to emphasize the importance of education, and that nothing should supersede it," Polamalu said.