Tamba Hali

Tamba Boimah Hali (born 3 November 1983) is a Liberian former American football defensive end and linebacker.

Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Hali was listed as the No. 5 strongside defensive end in the nation in 2002.

Hali received an athletic scholarship to attend Pennsylvania State University, where he played for coach Joe Paterno's Penn State Nittany Lions football team from 2002 to 2005.

Following his senior season in 2005, was recognized as a unanimous All-American, the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, and a first-team All-Big Ten selection.

He was instrumental in helping the Nittany Lions finish 11–1, winning the Big Ten championship and the Orange Bowl 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 tenth 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.

He played college football at Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), where he earned unanimous All-American honors, and was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft.

Hali was named defensive most valuable player (MVP) of the 2006 Senior Bowl.

He was later inducted into the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame.

Hali entered the 2006 NFL Draft ranked as the third-best defensive end behind Mario Williams and Kamerion Wimbley.

Tamba spent some time as a defensive tackle in college.

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 21 April 2006 cover story.

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.

Hali was chosen 20th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in a surprise move.

On 31 July 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.

On 28 September 2006, Hali's mother Rachel arrived in Kansas City, Missouri and currently lives with Tamba on a one-year visa.

On 1 October, she saw her son play for the first time as the Chiefs shut out the San Francisco 49ers, 41–0.

Hali won the Mack Lee Hill award as the top Chiefs rookie for 2006.

At the end of the 2006 NFL season, Hali led the Chiefs with eight sacks.

He was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team.

In 2007, Hali had 7.5 sacks to go along with 59 total tackles, two passes defensed, and two forced fumbles.

Hali moved to right defensive end for the 2008 season, replacing Jared Allen.

In the 2008 season, he had three sacks, 55 total tackles, two passes defensed, and three forced fumbles.

In 2009, Hali was again moved—this time to outside linebacker—to accommodate new head coach Todd Haley's 3–4 defense.

Hali's transformation from an undersized 4–3 DE to a 3–4 OLB was an amazing one considering his time in college as a defensive tackle.

He finished the 2009 season with 8.5 sacks, 63 total tackles, one pass defensed, four forced fumbles, and scored a safety.

He played his entire twelve-year career for the Chiefs, where he was selected to six consecutive Pro Bowls from 2010 to 2015 and was a Second-team All-Pro selection in 2011 and in 2013.

Hali was born in Gbarnga, Liberia.

He was sent to the United States at the age of 10 to escape civil war-torn Liberia.

He worked to become an NFL-caliber player because he thought it would help him raise the money 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 attended Teaneck High School in Teaneck, New Jersey, where he played for the high school football team.

He was named a high school All-American.

He also lettered in basketball.

In 2010, the Chiefs hired a new defensive coordinator, Romeo Crennel.

He earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 3.

Hali finished the season with an AFC-leading 14.5 sacks, leading to his first invitation to the Pro Bowl, which he declined citing personal reasons.

Chiefs' general manager Scott Pioli made the signing of Hali to a long-term deal his top priority that off-season.