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Tamba Hali

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200px at NFL.comTamba Boimah Hali (born November 3, 1983, in Monrovia, Liberia) was a defensive end for the Penn State Nittany Lions and was the 20th pick overall in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. Hali grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey and is a graduate of Teaneck High School.

Hali entered the draft ranked as the #2 defensive end behind North Carolina State's, Mario Williams. At 6'3", 275 lbs., Hali is slightly undersized for an NFL defensive end, but he has a non-stop motor and is a great pass rusher coming off the edge.

Hali came to the United States in 1994 after fleeing war-torn Liberia and was separated from his mother for more than 12 years. Hali is an inspirational story, and NFL scouts loved his desire to play.

NFL Scouts reported that Hali presented himself excellently not only in his workout but also in his interview at the NFL Combine, resulting in being chosen #20 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs. Hall was originally speculated to be chosen at least 5 picks later.

Early Life

Hali fled civil war-torn Liberia at age ten, joining his father Henry, a Fairleigh Dickinson University chemistry professor and Teaneck High School teacher, in the United States. He has been motivated to become a NFL-caliber player by his desire to reunite with his mother, Rachel Keita, and bring her to the United States after not having seen her for more than twelve years.

High School

Hali was named an All-American at Teaneck High School in Teaneck, New Jersey and the #1 overall prospect in New Jersey. He also lettered in basketball.

College

Hali was named a 2005 consensus All-American, was a unanimous selection as the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, and was named first team All-Big Ten following his senior season at Penn State. He was instrumental in helping Joe Paterno's squad finish 11-1, winning Big Ten and Orange Bowl titles 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 superlative 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 10th 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.

Hali was named defensive MVP of the 2006 Senior Bowl.

NFL Career

On April 29, 2006, Hali was chosen 20th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in a surprise move. Hali was projected by many analysts to be selected later in the draft, but Kansas City did not hesitate to select the best player to help their struggling defense.

Making an early impression already in Chiefs camp, Tamba Hali has earned the nickname of "The Tamba Hawk" (a take on "Tomahawk").

Hali has an older half-brother, also named Tamba. This stems from a tradition in the Kissi culture wherein the second son born to a woman is always named "Tamba." (The first is traditionally named "Saah.") When the Hali family is together, they call the eldest "Big Tamba" and his 6' 3", 275-pound half-brother "Little Tamba" [1]

References

  1. ^ 'By the grace of God, I am alive', The Sporting News, April 13, 2006
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