Tamba Hali is newest member of Chiefs Hall of Fame. He’s still helping KC’s pass rush

Tamba Hali, one of the great pass rushers in Chiefs history, is the newest member of the team’s Hall of Fame.

Hali spent his entire 12-year NFL career with the Chiefs and appeared in 177 games, the fourth most by a defensive player in franchise history. His 89 1/2 sacks rank second in team history to Derrick Thomas. Hali recorded a career-best 14 1/2 sacks in 2010.

“It’s a big deal,” Hali said. “It’s one of the most prestigious awards you can get from an organization.”

Hali, the 49th player elected to the Chiefs’ honor roll, moved from defensive end to outside linebacker when the team switched to a 3-4 defense and didn’t miss a beat.

“His stats speak for themselves, establishing him as one of the great defensive players in Chiefs history,” Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said.

In retirement, Hali has remained connected with the Chiefs by working with players. He has trained with current defensive ends George Karlaftis and Felix Anudike-Uzomah.

“It feels like I’m always part of the team,” Hali said.

Born in Liberia, Hali was sent to the United States when he was 10 to escape a war-torn nation, where he said he was “ducking bullets and running away from people shooting and killing civilians, hiding out.”

Hali landed in Teaneck, New Jersey, and developed into an excellent athlete. On a recommendation from his high school coach, Hali landed at Penn State and became an All-American.

The Chiefs selected him in the first-round of the 2006 draft, No. 20 overall, and he was named to the NFL All-Rookie team.

“The way it played out, it’s like some kind of movie with somebody writing a script,” Hali said. ”But it’s my life. I’m just really grateful to people who helped me where I am today.”

Hali was selected to the Pro Bowl five straight seasons from 2011-15 and was named to the AP All-Pro second-team twice (2011 and 2013). Hali was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week four times in his career, tied for the second most by any Chiefs defender.

Like Thomas, Hali specialized in forcing fumbles, with 33 in his career, including a team-record six as a rookie.

The enshrinement will be held during a Chiefs game this fall.