This year's inductee into the Chiefs Hall of Fame is former pass rusher Tamba Hali.
On a weekend in which the Kansas City Chiefs are laying a foundation for the future of the franchise, they're also making sure to take a much-needed glance back into the past to honor one of the team's defensive legends.
On Saturday, during the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chiefs announced that former linebacker Tamba Hali would be the next inductee into the team's Hall of Fame.
Tamba's time is here! Welcome to the Chiefs Ring of Honor, @tambahali91. You deserve it.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) April 27, 2024
📝 https://t.co/mHU49J9UZr pic.twitter.com/3dYf9aiHLm
Hali was able to enjoy the firstfruits of this new golden era of Chiefs football by playing a handful of seasons under head coach Andy Reid from 2013-2017. In doing so, he helped to lay a foundation for the present run of sustained success.
Thesse days, Hali continues to aid the Chiefs on the field by working closely with young pass rushers to help hone their technique and glean insight into the game. He was recently working out with second-year pass rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah and did the same with defensive end George Karlaftis one year ago as he came into the league—both former first round picks.
Hali himself was a first-round choice for the Chiefs out of Penn State back in the 2006 NFL Draft at No. 20 overall. He was celebrated as a player with a non-stop motor who would be a positive asset for any team, but few could have predicted just how reliably productive he'd become at the NFL level.
Through 12 NFL seasons, all with Kansas City, Hali managed to play in 177 games and started 157 of them. He went to five consecutive Pro Bowls from 2011-16 and closed his career with 596 tackles, 89.5 sacks, 33 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions and 1 safety. Hali is second only to Derrick Thomas in both sacks and forced fumbles in Chiefs franchise history.