Kansas City Chiefs Legend Heading Into Hall of Fame

Hali played his entire career in a Kansas City Chiefs uniform, after being chosen No. 20 overall, out of Penn State, during the 2006 NFL Draft.

Tamba Hali: A Kansas City Chiefs Legend

While Hali missed out on the chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy during this recent dynastic run by the Chiefs, he says that it was easy to see the culture-shift happening upon Andy Reid’s arrival in Kansas City.

“Andy (Reid) is a whole different way of — the way he approached the game is way different than a lot of coaches,” Hali said, during a 2022 appearance on the “Further Review” podcast. “It’s not a lot of screaming and hooting and hollering,” said Hali.” We do that as players. He allowed us to lead, he allows personality to flare. But he just changed the culture— the entire culture. The way things should be ran.”

“We always had leaders among every group, we always had a little group. We had leaders that would even come together out of those groups to figure out what, you know, it is that we need. So Coach is different in his approach game days, so quiet, so calm, doesn’t matter what goes on. You know, he just goes by his work, and he gets it done. I was happy to be part of a winning organization in the latter part of my career, just because it’s a great feeling. When you’re winning.”

A six-time Pro Bowler and two-time second-Team All-Pro selection, Hali finished his 12-year career, before signing a one-day contract to officially retire a Chief, with 596 total tackles, 105 tackles for loss, 89.5 sacks, 33 forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries.