Former Kansas City Chiefs pass rusher and fan-favorite, Tamba Hali returned to Arrowhead Stadium on Monday afternoon. On social media, the team announced that the long-time sack-master had signed a day-long contract to officially retire as a Chief.
Hali, 37, played 12 seasons in the National Football League, all with the Chiefs. He began his pro career as a first-round draft pick from Penn State in 2006 and was the first draft selection under the new head coaching regime of Herman Edwards at the time.
Starting his career as a defensive end, Hali eventually transitioned to become a 3-4 outside linebacker when Todd Haley took over as HC in 2009. Since then, Hali progressed into the wrecking force that made him difficult for offensive linemen to block and an absolute nuisance for opposing QBs.
On the field, Hali had a knack for attacking the quarterback’s blind side and reaching a hand in to force a fumble right as the ball is about to be thrown. This signature style of play by the ‘Tamba Hawk’ was a common sight for Chiefs fans that ever got old.
At the time, Tamba was one of the few pass rushers that had a personal trainer who specialized in martial arts and hand-to-hand combat, which helped him translate Jiu-Jitsu-style hand movements into the way he rushed the passer.
From 2006-2017, Hali displayed a commitment to putting 110-percent into every one of his rushes. Like a heat-seeking missile, Hali didn’t quit until he reached the passer.
Some of the biggest moments of his career include the Chiefs’ Monday night matchup against the San Diego Chargers in Week 8 of the 2011 season. In overtime on 2nd-and-8, Hali karate chopped Chargers QB Philip Rivers as he was dropping back, forcing the fumble and the sack. While Rivers did manage to jump back on top of the ball, San Diego would be forced to punt one play later. Kansas City would go on to collect a 23-20 victory over San Diego that night.
In Week 15 of the 2011 season, Tamba Hali would go on to have a brilliant performance against the Green Bay Packers. At the time, Green Bay was undefeated and one victory away from going a full calendar year since suffering a loss. The Packers were also the defending Super Bowl champs, who were taking on a lowly 4-8 Chiefs group that had something to prove.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sacked four times that game, and three were a result of Tamba Hali abusing rookie left tackle Marshall Newhouse. Kansas City’s defensive effort and premiere pass rush led by Hali lifted the Chiefs a 19-14 upset victory over Green Bay.
In 2014, Kansas City hosted the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football in a Week 4 matchup that would end up being a total nightmare for Tom Brady and the Pats.
Brady was sacked twice that game, once by Hali, who used his signature hand swipe on Brady’s throwing hand to force the ball to pop out as he was dropping back. Hali actually recovered his own forced fumble and the Chiefs offense scored a touchdown two plays later as Kansas City mauled the Patriots 41-14.
In 12 seasons, Hali registered 596 tackles (460 solo), 105 tackles for a loss, 159 QB hits, and 89.5 sacks.
He’s the Chiefs’ second All-Time sack leader only behind Derrick Thomas and has been to the Pro Bowl six consecutive times from 2010-15.
In 2010, Hali set a career-high 14.5 sacks and followed up with 12 the following season and registered 11 sacks in 2013. In 2011, he made a career-high 66 total tackles.
Following the 2017 season, the Chiefs’ front office changed hands as Brett Veach became the new GM. Going into the 2018 campaign, Veach had the vision to renew the ball’s defensive side, which meant watching household names like Hali get released from the team.
Not wanting to continue his career with another team, Hali walked away from football and began a new chapter in his life as a musician and rap artist.
After being away from football for four years, Hali has finally returned to One Arrowhead Drive to enshrine his legacy within the Chiefs’ organization by officially retiring as a Chief.
