Before the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 14 game, the franchise inducted Tamba Hali into the Chiefs’ Hall of Fame, making him the 53rd individual and 49th player to earn this coveted honor. The legendary defender spoke with reporters after the ceremony, reflecting on his special moment.
“I’m still taking it in. It’s one of those experiences – it’s hard for me,” said Hali. “It’s really hard for me to – you know, looking up there to see my name, I think about my dad (Henry Hali), I think about my (Former Teaneck High School) head coach (Dennis Heck) from high school – nothing about me. It’s more about the people who have surrounded me to be in the position that I am in, so it’s really not about me; it’s about those people.”
Hali spent his 12-year career in Kansas City, appearing in 177 games, the fourth most by any Chiefs defender in team history. A trusted teammate throughout his career, Hali has continued to pass on his knowledge since retiring; he has been a fixture in helping to train young defensive players, most recently George Karlaftis and Felix Anudike-Uzomah.
“Yeah, to have DJ (Derrick Johnson), to have Justin (Houston) – Justin was the guy – DJ, Jamaal (Charles), Ron Parker, Albert Wilson, Thomas Gafford – to just have all of those guys around,” said Hali reflecting on his teammates support. “it brings back memories because we did put in some time while we were (together) and to celebrate it with them, it means a lot.”
He was named to the 2006 NFL All-Rookie Team, was selected to the Pro Bowl five consecutive seasons from 2011-15, and was named to the AP All-Pro second team twice (2011 and 2013). Hali earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors four times in his career, tied for the second most by any Chiefs defender.
