Chiefs KC Star: Tamba Hali had no intention of leaving Chiefs, has Super Bowl on his mind

**DaneMcCloud** · 03-10-2016, 03:12 PM

This is a great read and I didn't want it to get lost in one of the "mega" threads.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl...e65223067.html

By Terez A. Paylor

Tamba Hali heard the beginning of the very first question he fielded during a teleconference on Thursday — “Did you give any thought to leaving in free agency ...” — and didn’t need to hear the rest of it. “None,” Hali responded before the question was finished. “None, at all.”

That’s how much the 32-year-old Hali valued being in Kansas City. The 11-year veteran — who signed a three-year, $22 million extension with the Chiefs on Wednesday — went on to explain that he’s been a Chief for so long, he couldn’t imagine playing for anyone else. Unprompted, he spoke of how he takes pride in being the last first-round draft pick of Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt, who died approximately seven months after the Chiefs selected Hali in 2006 draft. He also said that he’s grown so accustomed to the Chiefs’ way of doing things that he had no interest in learning a new football culture, in a new city.

“For me, staying here, it means everything,” Hali said. “I couldn’t imagine going somewhere else and needing to establish myself as a player again, especially being in the game this long. I wanted to end my career here. It’s a family atmosphere here, and everything (general manager John) Dorsey, coach (Andy) Reid and the Hunt family stand for, everything they say, has been right on point.”

Hali recalled that when the Chiefs signed him to his previous pact in 2011 — a five-year, $60 million deal — Hunt told him that they were going to try to keep him here past that contract, which expired after the 2015 season.

Hunt made good on his word.

“I didn’t know how serious that was, but obviously it was serious, and I’m thankful — it doesn’t happen in our league anymore for a player to be in one position the way I’ve been, and then finish out his career where he got drafted,” Hali said. “And I’m thankful.” Hali also made it clear that he’s focused. He garnered his sixth Pro Bowl nod in 2015, finishing with 48 tackles and 6 1/2 sacks for a Chiefs team that finally ended its playoff misery with a 30-0 wild-card win over the Houston Texans. It was the club’s first playoff victory in 22 years, and Hali’s first in four tries.

After the season, Hali expressed a desire to return to the Chiefs, and seemed genuinely excited about the direction the team was going. The Chiefs clearly felt the same way about him. “Tamba is one of the most passionate and competitive football players I’ve had the privilege to be around,” Chiefs general manager John Dorsey said in a statement announcing the deal. “His leadership and playing ability have been critical to our success defensively. He’s a great teammate and a true professional. We are pleased he is staying in Kansas City.”

Hali also noted, however, that if he did continue his career, he wanted to make sure he could play better than he did in 2015. He has dealt with balky knees the last two years. In 2014, one knee swelled up during the season and required offseason surgery; in 2015, the other knee swelled up and required the same treatment. Now, he says the knee that gave him problems this year feels good.

“I feel like I’m right on time with healing,” Hali said. “I had the same process done last year. Around the two-month mark, I was able to start running. I’m only a month out of surgery, and the progress of rehab, I’m happy where I am right now.” Hali expressed optimism that neither knee should be a problem going forward.

“Well, I hope not; I hope we don’t have that problem,” Hali said. “I do well when the season starts, through camp and all the workouts ... it’s the wear and tear. I feel with what doctor was able to do, I feel I’ll be able to bounce back and play my best season coming up. So I don’t foresee these things happening where my knee just swells up because it chooses to.”

The Chiefs will do what they can to help Hali, just as they did in 2015. He was allowed to rest during most of the practice week for the majority of last season, keeping him fresh for Sundays. “I know they want to limit my role as in how much I play, just to be able to sustain me over the 24-week period of playing a season,” Hali said. “But I believe there will be times where I may have to play the entire game, and then I believe there will be times I have to step back ... there are games we’ll be winning and Coach basically said we don’t need you for the rest of the game and they’ll pull me, maybe, in the third quarter, fourth quarter.

“I get upset, but growing into the type of player that they see me becoming at the next stage of my career only make sense, because there’s no reason to go out there and pad the stats. Our main goal here is to win the Lombardi Trophy, and risking injury, trying to do more than is needed, is not going to help our team.” Increased rest for Hali in 2015 also allowed the man who was considered to be his eventual replacement — 2014 first-round draft pick Dee Ford — to see the field more often. Ford contributed more in the increased role, recording four sacks.

Hali said he’ll continue to help Ford, who will be entering his third year as a 3-4 outside linebacker after being a 4-3 defensive in college. “At this stage, if I had to speak for him, I would like for him to take the next step in being a professional and, basically, why they drafted him here and him talking over the role,” Hali said. “The season is too long for me to be focused on being a starter or a backup; I mean, we all have to contribute.

“But I think he’s in the position where he can kind of take the torch and go forward, and that’s really mental. Physically, the kid is gifted, and he has it. But mentally, we have to just make sure he understands why we’re in this building and what needs to be done while we’re here.”

When asked how long he expects to keep playing, Hali said it depends on a number of factors. “Well, as long as I love the game, as long as I continue to have the will to play at a high level and enjoy being around the guys, and there’s no distraction that’s leading to me exiting before I need to, I’ll play as long as my body lets me,” Hali said.

The moment he’s not serious about it anymore, the moment he doesn’t feel like working out anymore, that’s when he says he’ll know it’s time to leave. “But I still love playing football, I still love proving to myself I’m one of the best pass-rushers out there into the world — those things still drive me to be in the game,” Hali said. “And at the top of the list is to win a Super Bowl. That’s the biggest drive. If we can get that done, it would be nice to do it again, and again.”

And what about his legacy? The new contract sets up Hali, who has 86 career sacks — one half-sack behind Neil Smith for second in club history — to retire as a Chief. He’ll surely be in the Chiefs’ Ring of Honor one day, and that matters to him. But not as much as taking advantage of the opportunity that’s currently in front of him.

“I’m living in the moment, so I can’t really focus on what’s going to happen five, 10, 15 years from now, when I’m removed from the game,” Hali said. “It means a lot to even think that people think that high of me, but for now I’m just living in the moment and enjoying the time I’m here and trying to get something done.

“When it’s all said and done, we can look back and see what was accomplished.”

**TimBone** · 03-10-2016, 03:14 PM

This guy should be close to the top of all Chiefs fans list of favorite Chiefs. This guy just loves the Kansas city Chiefs.

**The Franchise** · 03-10-2016, 03:19 PM

Completely forgot he was here when Lamar was still alive.

**BossChief** · 03-10-2016, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimBone

This guy should be close to the top of all Chiefs fans list of favorite Chiefs. This guy just loves the Kansas city Chiefs.

It's because the Hunt family got Hali's mother to America after they drafted Tamba.

For a guy like Tamba, coming from where he came from...that's worth a lot more than money.

**BigMeatballDave** · 03-10-2016, 03:20 PM

Tamba may be my favorite all-time Chief.

**TimBone** · 03-10-2016, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

It's because the Hunt family got Hali's mother to America after they drafted Tamba.

For a guy like Tamba, coming from where he came from...that's worth a lot more than money.

Yeah, I know all that.

PAChiefsGuy · 03-10-2016, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

It's because the Hunt family got Hali's mother to America after they drafted Tamba.

For a guy like Tamba, coming from where he came from...that's worth a lot more than money.

It goes beyond that. He loves KC, he loves being a Chief and he is loyal.

He could have left and played in NE, Pittsburg wherever he wanted and Clark would still have loved him.

RunKC · 03-10-2016, 03:23 PM

Seeing Tamba, JC, DJ, Berry and Andy hold the Lombardi after all they've been through over the years would just be phenomenal.

**DaFace** · 03-10-2016, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimBone

This guy should be close to the top of all Chiefs fans list of favorite Chiefs. This guy just loves the Kansas city Chiefs.

Agreed. Lots of players have been great to watch on the field, but Tamba really embodies everything I can ever ask for in a Chief.

**Rain Man** · 03-10-2016, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

Seeing Tamba, JC, DJ, Berry and Andy hold the Lombardi after all they've been through over the years would just be phenomenal.

It would really make a great story for the NFL Network for years to come.

Hint, hint, Roger Goodell. Hint, hint.

**BossChief** · 03-10-2016, 03:29 PM

Is it just me, or does it seem like Hali is calling Ford out a little?

Hali said he’ll continue to help Ford, who will be entering his third year as a 3-4 outside linebacker after being a 4-3 defensive in college. “At this stage, if I had to speak for him, I would like for him to take the next step in being a professional and, basically, why they drafted him here and him talking over the role,” Hali said. “The season is too long for me to be focused on being a starter or a backup; I mean, we all have to contribute.

“But I think he’s in the position where he can kind of take the torch and go forward, and that’s really mental. Physically, the kid is gifted, and he has it. But mentally, we have to just make sure he understands why we’re in this building and what needs to be done while we’re here.”

**LoneWolf** · 03-10-2016, 03:35 PM

"24 week period of playing a season". Tamba, I love where your head is at.

**Easy 6** · 03-10-2016, 03:38 PM

Yeah, he seemed to be subtly telling Ford to get his head in the game a little better

Frosty · 03-10-2016, 03:42 PM

With all the shit Tamba has had to endure (Herm, Haley , Romeo), it's amazing he didn't want to get out of dodge as quickly as he could. At least he gets to play out the end of his career with a decent coach.

staylor26 · 03-10-2016, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

Seeing Tamba, JC, DJ, Berry and Andy hold the Lombardi after all they've been through over the years would just be phenomenal.

Man throw Alex in there as well for me. It would be an amazing story for him and Andy with the way they left their last teams.

03-10-2016, 03:12 PM
DaneMcCloud Supporter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hollywood, CA Casino cash: $10053648	KC Star: Tamba Hali had no intention of leaving Chiefs, has Super Bowl on his mind This is a great read and I didn't want it to get lost in one of the "mega" threads. http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl...e65223067.html By Terez A. Paylor Tamba Hali heard the beginning of the very first question he fielded during a teleconference on Thursday — “Did you give any thought to leaving in free agency ...” — and didn’t need to hear the rest of it. “None,” Hali responded before the question was finished. “None, at all.” That’s how much the 32-year-old Hali valued being in Kansas City. The 11-year veteran — who signed a three-year, $22 million extension with the Chiefs on Wednesday — went on to explain that he’s been a Chief for so long, he couldn’t imagine playing for anyone else. Unprompted, he spoke of how he takes pride in being the last first-round draft pick of Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt, who died approximately seven months after the Chiefs selected Hali in 2006 draft. He also said that he’s grown so accustomed to the Chiefs’ way of doing things that he had no interest in learning a new football culture, in a new city. “For me, staying here, it means everything,” Hali said. “I couldn’t imagine going somewhere else and needing to establish myself as a player again, especially being in the game this long. I wanted to end my career here. It’s a family atmosphere here, and everything (general manager John) Dorsey, coach (Andy) Reid and the Hunt family stand for, everything they say, has been right on point.” Hali recalled that when the Chiefs signed him to his previous pact in 2011 — a five-year, $60 million deal — Hunt told him that they were going to try to keep him here past that contract, which expired after the 2015 season. Hunt made good on his word. “I didn’t know how serious that was, but obviously it was serious, and I’m thankful — it doesn’t happen in our league anymore for a player to be in one position the way I’ve been, and then finish out his career where he got drafted,” Hali said. “And I’m thankful.” Hali also made it clear that he’s focused. He garnered his sixth Pro Bowl nod in 2015, finishing with 48 tackles and 6 1/2 sacks for a Chiefs team that finally ended its playoff misery with a 30-0 wild-card win over the Houston Texans. It was the club’s first playoff victory in 22 years, and Hali’s first in four tries. After the season, Hali expressed a desire to return to the Chiefs, and seemed genuinely excited about the direction the team was going. The Chiefs clearly felt the same way about him. “Tamba is one of the most passionate and competitive football players I’ve had the privilege to be around,” Chiefs general manager John Dorsey said in a statement announcing the deal. “His leadership and playing ability have been critical to our success defensively. He’s a great teammate and a true professional. We are pleased he is staying in Kansas City.” Hali also noted, however, that if he did continue his career, he wanted to make sure he could play better than he did in 2015. He has dealt with balky knees the last two years. In 2014, one knee swelled up during the season and required offseason surgery; in 2015, the other knee swelled up and required the same treatment. Now, he says the knee that gave him problems this year feels good. “I feel like I’m right on time with healing,” Hali said. “I had the same process done last year. Around the two-month mark, I was able to start running. I’m only a month out of surgery, and the progress of rehab, I’m happy where I am right now.” Hali expressed optimism that neither knee should be a problem going forward. “Well, I hope not; I hope we don’t have that problem,” Hali said. “I do well when the season starts, through camp and all the workouts ... it’s the wear and tear. I feel with what doctor was able to do, I feel I’ll be able to bounce back and play my best season coming up. So I don’t foresee these things happening where my knee just swells up because it chooses to.” The Chiefs will do what they can to help Hali, just as they did in 2015. He was allowed to rest during most of the practice week for the majority of last season, keeping him fresh for Sundays. “I know they want to limit my role as in how much I play, just to be able to sustain me over the 24-week period of playing a season,” Hali said. “But I believe there will be times where I may have to play the entire game, and then I believe there will be times I have to step back ... there are games we’ll be winning and Coach basically said we don’t need you for the rest of the game and they’ll pull me, maybe, in the third quarter, fourth quarter. “I get upset, but growing into the type of player that they see me becoming at the next stage of my career only make sense, because there’s no reason to go out there and pad the stats. Our main goal here is to win the Lombardi Trophy, and risking injury, trying to do more than is needed, is not going to help our team.” Increased rest for Hali in 2015 also allowed the man who was considered to be his eventual replacement — 2014 first-round draft pick Dee Ford — to see the field more often. Ford contributed more in the increased role, recording four sacks. Hali said he’ll continue to help Ford, who will be entering his third year as a 3-4 outside linebacker after being a 4-3 defensive in college. “At this stage, if I had to speak for him, I would like for him to take the next step in being a professional and, basically, why they drafted him here and him talking over the role,” Hali said. “The season is too long for me to be focused on being a starter or a backup; I mean, we all have to contribute. “But I think he’s in the position where he can kind of take the torch and go forward, and that’s really mental. Physically, the kid is gifted, and he has it. But mentally, we have to just make sure he understands why we’re in this building and what needs to be done while we’re here.” When asked how long he expects to keep playing, Hali said it depends on a number of factors. “Well, as long as I love the game, as long as I continue to have the will to play at a high level and enjoy being around the guys, and there’s no distraction that’s leading to me exiting before I need to, I’ll play as long as my body lets me,” Hali said. The moment he’s not serious about it anymore, the moment he doesn’t feel like working out anymore, that’s when he says he’ll know it’s time to leave. “But I still love playing football, I still love proving to myself I’m one of the best pass-rushers out there into the world — those things still drive me to be in the game,” Hali said. “And at the top of the list is to win a Super Bowl. That’s the biggest drive. If we can get that done, it would be nice to do it again, and again.” And what about his legacy? The new contract sets up Hali, who has 86 career sacks — one half-sack behind Neil Smith for second in club history — to retire as a Chief. He’ll surely be in the Chiefs’ Ring of Honor one day, and that matters to him. But not as much as taking advantage of the opportunity that’s currently in front of him. “I’m living in the moment, so I can’t really focus on what’s going to happen five, 10, 15 years from now, when I’m removed from the game,” Hali said. “It means a lot to even think that people think that high of me, but for now I’m just living in the moment and enjoying the time I’m here and trying to get something done. “When it’s all said and done, we can look back and see what was accomplished.”
Posts: 88,960

03-10-2016, 03:14 PM	#2
TimBone Mostly Ignored Join Date: Jul 2013 Casino cash: $8419985	This guy should be close to the top of all Chiefs fans list of favorite Chiefs. This guy just loves the Kansas city Chiefs.
Posts: 18,097

03-10-2016, 03:19 PM	#3
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $2115047	Completely forgot he was here when Lamar was still alive.
Posts: 92,316

03-10-2016, 03:20 PM	#5
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	Tamba may be my favorite all-time Chief. __________________ 2015 Adopt-a-Chief: Tamba Hali
Posts: 59,997

03-10-2016, 03:23 PM	#8
RunKC Andy Reid Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Casino cash: $-1380389	Seeing Tamba, JC, DJ, Berry and Andy hold the Lombardi after all they've been through over the years would just be phenomenal.
Posts: 52,015

03-10-2016, 03:29 PM	#11
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $-1515912	Is it just me, or does it seem like Hali is calling Ford out a little? Hali said he’ll continue to help Ford, who will be entering his third year as a 3-4 outside linebacker after being a 4-3 defensive in college. “At this stage, if I had to speak for him, I would like for him to take the next step in being a professional and, basically, why they drafted him here and him talking over the role,” Hali said. “The season is too long for me to be focused on being a starter or a backup; I mean, we all have to contribute. “But I think he’s in the position where he can kind of take the torch and go forward, and that’s really mental. Physically, the kid is gifted, and he has it. But mentally, we have to just make sure he understands why we’re in this building and what needs to be done while we’re here.” __________________ Dreams do come true... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=1407
Posts: 47,872

03-10-2016, 03:35 PM	#12
LoneWolf Constable of Untruths Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Wichita Casino cash: $-758916	"24 week period of playing a season". Tamba, I love where your head is at.
Posts: 15,345

03-10-2016, 03:38 PM	#13
Easy 6 pie is never free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the drivers seat Casino cash: $77775	Yeah, he seemed to be subtly telling Ford to get his head in the game a little better
Posts: 98,208

03-10-2016, 03:42 PM	#14
Frosty Go Beavers! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Washington Casino cash: $3548243	With all the shit Tamba has had to endure (Herm, Haley , Romeo), it's amazing he didn't want to get out of dodge as quickly as he could. At least he gets to play out the end of his career with a decent coach.
Posts: 14,536