Tamba Hali

Tamba Boimah Hali (born November 3, 1983) is an American football outside linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League. He was the 20th overall pick out of Penn State in the 2006 NFL Draft. Hali grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey and is a graduate of Teaneck High School.

There was not much pre-draft hype for Hali heading into the 2006 NFL Draft until The Sporting News made his amazing story of escape from war-torn Liberia at age 10 their April 21, 2006 cover story.^[1] NFL scouts began to take notice, reporting that Hali presented himself in an excellent manner not only in his workout but also in his interview at the NFL Combine. On draft day, the Kansas City Chiefs chose him with the 20th overall pick.

Hali finally became a U.S. citizen on July 31, 2006,^[2] after residing in the United States for more than a decade.

Early years

Hali fled civil war-torn Liberia at age ten, joining his father Henry, a Fairleigh Dickinson University chemistry professor and Teaneck High School chemistry teacher, in the United States. He has been motivated to become a NFL-caliber player by his desire to reunite with his mother, Rachel Keita, and bring her to the United States after not having seen her for more than twelve years.

Hali was named an All-American at Teaneck High School and the #1 overall prospect in New Jersey. He also lettered in basketball.^[3]

College career

Hali was named a 2005 consensus All-American, was a unanimous selection as the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, and was named first team All-Big Ten following his senior season at Penn State. He was instrumental in helping Joe Paterno's squad finish 11-1, winning the Big Ten and Orange Bowl titles that season.

He led the Big Ten with 11 sacks (tied for eighth nationally) and 17 tackles for loss and earned numerous accolades for his play. He was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented to the nation's top defensive player, and the Ted Hendricks Defensive End Award.

Hali's season sack total is tied for sixth-best at Penn State and his 36 career tackles for loss are tied with Matt Millen for 10th best. Hali received the Robert B. Mitinger Award, which is given to the Nittany Lion football player who best personifies courage, character and social responsibility.

Hali was named defensive MVP of the 2006 Senior Bowl.

NFL career

2006 NFL Draft

In 2006, Hali entered the NFL draft ranked as the #2 defensive end behind North Carolina State's Mario Williams. At 6 ft. 3 in. (1.91 m), 275 lb (125 kg), Hali is slightly undersized for an NFL defensive end, but compensates by being a great pass rusher.

(* represents NFL Combine; **represents Penn State Pro Day) ^[4]

On April 29, 2006, Hali was chosen 20th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in a surprise move. Hali was projected by many analysts to be selected later in the draft, but Kansas City did not hesitate to select the best player possible to help their struggling defense.

Kansas City Chiefs

Making an early impression in Chiefs camp, Tamba Hali has earned the nickname of "The TambaHawk" (a take on "Tomahawk"), and the starting position for defensive end.

On July 31, 2006, Hali was excused from the Chiefs two-a-day practices at training camp in River Falls, Wisconsin and flew back to his home in Teaneck, New Jersey to be sworn in as a permanent citizen of the United States.^[2] On September 28, 2006, Hali's mother Rachel arrived in Kansas City, Missouri and currently lives with Tamba on a one-year visa. On October 1, she saw her son play for the first time as the Chiefs shut out the San Francisco 49ers 41-0.^[5]

Hali won the Mack Lee Hill award as the top Chiefs rookie for 2006.^[6] At the end of the 2006 NFL season, Hali led the Chiefs with 8 sacks, 3.5 more than #1 overall draft pick Mario Williams. In 2007, Hali had 7.5 sacks.

Hali moved to right defensive end for the 2008 season, replacing Jared Allen. In 2009 Hali was again moved—this time to outside linebacker—to accommodate new head coach Todd Haley’s 3-4 defense. Hali was moved in part because of his experience playing both linebacker and defensive end at Penn State.

In 2010 the Chiefs hired a new defensive coordinator, Romeo Crennel. Hali finished the season with an AFC-leading 14.5 sacks, leading to his first invitation to the Pro Bowl. Hali declined the invite, citing personal reasons. Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli made the signing of Hali to a long-term deal his number-one priority that offseason. Despite a lockout being in place, the two sides signed a five-year, $60 million contract ($35 million guaranteed) on August 4th, 2011.^[7]

Career statistics

Source: NFL.com

Personal life

Hali has an older half-brother, also named Tamba. This stems from a tradition in the Kissi culture wherein the second son born to a woman is always named "Tamba." (The first is traditionally named "Saah.") When the Hali family is together, they call the eldest "Big Tamba" and his 6 ft. 3 in. (1.91 m), 275-pound (125 kg) half-brother "Little Tamba".^[1] He also has a brother (Saah Hali) who is a middle school Social Studies teacher in Teaneck, New Jersey. Hali in his spare time writes rap music and has a recording studio in his basement.

References

External links

• Official Website
• "Hali Featured on Cover of The Sporting News" gopsusports.com, April 12, 2006
• "By the grace of God, I am alive." The Sporting News, April 13, 2006
• "Hali getting mixed signals" northjersey.com, April 24, 2006
• "Hali has come too far to stop short," USA Today, March 1, 2006
• "The great escape: Hali travels amazing road to achieve football stardom," Sports Illustrated, February 25, 2006
• "Hali wrecks Wisconsin to earn Player of Week award," USA Today, November 6, 2005
• Hali gets sized for his first Chiefs jersey VIDEO
• "Chiefs rookie Hali becomes U.S. citizen," NFL.com, August 1, 2006
• “Reluctant superstar: Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali getting job done, even if he does so quietly,” Associated Press, December 20, 2011.