The Kansas City Chiefs are a franchise with a rich history of tradition thanks to countless legends that have helped build the lore around the organization. Since 1970, the Chiefs have annually inducted one former player into the Hall of Honor, recognizing the greats who once played at Arrowhead Stadium, enshrining their memories and impact on the franchise forever.
This season, Kansas City’s Hall of Honor inductee is former pass rusher Tamba Hali.
Hali came to the Chiefs as the franchise’s first-round draft pick in 2006. For the next 12 seasons, Hali made a living harassing opposing quarterbacks, tallying 89.5 sacks, the second-most in the team’s history behind the late Derrick Thomas.
On Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Chiefs held Hali’s induction ceremony. After the game, Hali spoke to the media to reflect on seeing his name join the countless other Chiefs legends in the Ring of Honor.
“I’m still taking it in,” said Hali. “It’s one of those experiences – It’s really hard for me to [describe] – 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,” he explained.
Coming from worn-torn Libya as a child, Hali saw America as a land of opportunity and quickly fell in love with the game of football. When he entered the NFL, his play on the field was a demonstration that he never took a single snap for granted. Hali says accolades like the Hall of Honor were never on his mind as something he could achieve.
“First, I didn’t think I could run. I didn’t think I was fast or strong. I just had a heart to play the game,” he admitted.
“I loved the game [and] I put a lot of effort and time in it, but no, it was never my goal to be a Chiefs Hall of Famer or even a Hall of Famer (or) any of those things. It’s more about winning games. For it to be today, you know it’s special,” he explained.
Sunday night was extra special for Hali because several of his former teammates like Derrick Johnson, Justin Houston, and Jamaal Charles, among others, attended the ceremony to celebrate his induction.
“Yeah, to have [Derrick Johnson], to have Justin [Houston], Jamaal [Charles], Ron Parker, Albert Wilson, Thomas Gafford – to just have all of those guys around, 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.”
In 12 seasons with the Chiefs from 2006-2016, Hali appeared in 177 games (157 starts) and tallied 596 tackles (460), 89.5 sacks, and 159 QB hits. He was a five-time Pro Bowler and was named to the All-Rookie Team in 2006.
