Tamba Hali makes Kansas City Chiefs a better team
By Brandon Fry
Oct 20, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali (91) celebrates after sacking Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 17-16. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
It’s nice to have a throwback player that sees the value of staying and building his legacy with one organization, as opposed to some that can’t wait to get out (cough.. Jared Allen). When you look at the other teams with household names like Terrell Suggs or Robert Mathis and have been fortunate enough to keep them on the team, it should make fans feel fortunate. Loyalty to one team is a rare sight, given how business is conducted in the league today.
The other attribute in considering Hali’s value to the Chiefs is his reliability. Hali has never missed more than one game in a season since he started his pro career with the Chiefs. This man loves football, and it shows with his passion and dedication to play at the highest level his body will allow. I have a visual in my head of the Colts game in Indianapolis where the man laid everything he had on the field — his chin strap dripping with blood, he just kept lining up and giving 100 percent until the clock hit all zeros.
(Warning; the volume is loud on this video, turn your speakers down.)
Hali started his career in 2006 and got his first career sack against former San Francisco 49ers and current teammate Alex Smith. Now both of them share the same goal, and that’s winning a Super Bowl with the Chiefs. Time only stands in the way of the two, as both have entered their early 30s. You can believe they realize that every passing year brings them closer to ending their respected careers.
Hali has overcome more adversity than most in his life, and it started early when he grew up in Liberia in the midst of a civil war. I have a feeling that he’ll be up for the challenge against Father Time in the mix of the opponents standing in the way of him and a Super Bowl. I, for one, am happy that Hali chose to chase the Lombardi Trophy in a Chiefs uniform.