Tamba Hali signs one-day contract to officially retire with Chiefs
Hali spent his 12-year NFL career in Kansas City, finishing No. 2 in club history in quarterback sacks
Tamba Hali reunited with the club he played for in every game of a 12-year NFL career, signing a one-day contract with the Chiefs to officially announce his retirement.
Since 1968, Hali ranks tied for 14th for most games played (177) with the Chiefs and is tied with Derrick Thomas with 157 starts for seventh-best with the club. Hali's name appears 15 times in the club's record books, including a club record for forced fumbles by a rookie (six). His 89 1/2 sacks are No. 2 in franchise history behind Derrick Thomas with 126 1/2.
Hali certainly owns a resume worthy of soon having his name added to the club's Ring of Honor and Hall of Fame. He played in five Pro Bowls and earned second-team All-Pro nods in 2011 and 2013 as well as All-Rookie honors in 2006. He was named to the NFL Top 100 list five times, peaking at No. 34 in 2012.
In 2019, the Chiefs signed a trio of former stars to ceremonial one-day contracts to official retire with the club. Unlike Hali, however, Derrick Johnson, Jamaal Charles and Dwayne Bowe all played briefly with other clubs after leaving Kansas City. Hali didn't play with another club but certainly didn't get to go out with fanfare. The club released Hali on March 12, 2018, in a cost-cutting move.
Hali arrived in Kansas City in 2006 as the team's first-round selection in the 2006 NFL Draft, No. 20 overall. He made his impact felt instantly, starting all 16 games as a rookie with eight sacks and 62 total tackles.
In addition to finishing as the club's No. 2 leader in sacks, Hali tallied 596 total tackles with 105 for a loss. He was also credited with 159 quarterback hits and forced 33 fumbles in his career along with two interceptions.
