Inductees

Back in 1990, the Kansas City Chiefs were kicking off their golden era, with Arrowhead Stadium abuzz on Sundays in the fall.

On the other side of the world, an 8-year-old kid in the war-torn West African country of Liberia was thinking of picking up a gun and joining the fight in a merciless civil war.

Little did anyone know that Tamba Hali would eventually join the Chiefs and wreak havoc on defense almost 20 years later. However, if it hadn’t been for his brother keeping him out of harm’s way, he may not have ever gotten the chance.

“I may be dead,” Hali once told Chiefs.com. “I don’t think I would be living. I don’t really see how life would be if I would have stayed and fought because all the people I knew as friends, they’re dead.”

Hali moved to the U.S. at age 10, eventually becoming one of the best pass rushers in the Chiefs’ rich history. Which is why the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame is proud to induct Hali with the Class of 2021.

A first-round draft pick in 2006 out of Penn State University, he spent his entire National Football League career with the Chiefs, covering 12 seasons (2006-2017), and helped the team to six playoff berths.

Statistically, he is second only to the legendary Derrick Thomas (126.5) in career sacks (89.5) and ahead of Neil Smith’s 85.5 and Justin Houston’s 78.5. Thomas (MSHOF 2021) and Smith (MSHOF 2008) have been inducted here.

A six-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro, Hali also forced 33 fumbles, second only to Thomas’ 45 and four more than Smith’s 29. Additionally, Hali started at least 15 games every season from 2006 to 2014 and started 14 in 2015.

What a journey it’s been.

“I can’t remember the first time I saw my first football game,” Hali said. “My dad was a huge New York Giants fan, so I’m sure I was watching football with him, but I didn’t understand it when I first got into the country around 1994.”

It wasn’t until the ninth grade when he joined an official team.

“I had a passion for it and eventually I fell in love with it,” Hali said. “I thought it was an easy concept, especially not knowing how to play the game and what was going on. It was just as simple as my coaches would say – put your hands in the dirt and go.”

Speak with Hali, and he makes clear that he owes his success to so many others:

Jesus Christ his Lord and Savior, Dad Henry Hali, mom Rachel Keita, brother Tamba Langama and numerous coaches.

Those coaches were Teaneck (N.J.) High School’s Dennis Heck, Ed Klimeck, Rashawn Briggs, Jason McDonald; At Penn State, coach Joe Paterno, Larry Johnson Sr., and, in Kansas City, the Chiefs’ Herm Edwards, Tim Krumrie, Romeo Crennel, Gary Gibbs, Joseph Kim and eventually Andy Reid.

Hali was a consensus NCAA All-American at Penn State before the Chiefs drafted him in the first round.

“I really knew nothing about the Chiefs. I didn’t have the chance to follow professional football, but I thought it was a big deal because everyone around me was happy for me,” Hali said.

With the Chiefs, “I did things I wasn’t used to doing,” Hali said. “I picked up habits that I didn’t grow up on, such as martial arts. Jujitsu became part of my regimen, and my diet became part of my regimen.”

“My commitment to be there with the team each and every year, regardless if it was mandatory or not, I think that helped me in developing to what type of player people believe I became,” Hali added. “I had a love for the game by becoming a student of the game.”

A big secret to his success? Hali listened to teammates every step of the way.

In Kansas City, it was Derrick Johnson (MSHOF 2020), Eric Berry and Houston. In college, it was Jimmy Kennedy, Anthony Adams, Michael Robinson, Brian Scott, Bryant Johnson and Calvin Lowry. In high school, Jermaine Walker and Warren Lucious helped him learn the game.

“I thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I’m grateful that I was able to play professional football. I believe it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do,” Hali said. “It takes a really strong mind to push through all the hard times, the games and workouts and practices. I am grateful I was able to push through it all.”