NFL player insured against baldness

Head and Shoulders have taken out a $1 million insurance policy to protect a football player incase he suffers from baldness.

With his long, flowing locks, NFL star Troy Polamalu is the antithesis of baldness. His Samoan heritage has blessed him with strong, curly hair, which so impressed shampoo firm H&S that they decided to use him as a spokesperson. Polamalu now appears in television commercials for the firm. However, H&S are concerned that he may go bald. Because Polamalu’s hair protrudes through the back of his helmet, it is vulnerable to being tugged by opposing players. Kansas City's Larry Johnson grabbed Polamalu by the hair and pulled him down for a tackle during one game in 2006. Commentators pointed out that Johnsons’ move was not technically illegal. Johnson was prosecuted, though, for continuing to hold on to Polamalu’s hair as he rose to his feet.

Polamalu has not cut his hair since 2000, when a coach told him he needed one. With such a full head of hair, Polamalu is unlikely to suffer from male pattern baldness any time soon. However, 1 in 2 men over the age of 40 will do. Head and Shoulders do not offer any solutions as a company. But the Food and Drug Administration has approved the treatment Propecia. Propecia is a drug that helps stimulate hair follicles.

Polamalu is one of many celebrities that have had parts of their body insured. The Washington Post reports that David Beckham’s legs are allegedly insured for millions.