Charles Haley Finally Entering the Hall of Fame
One of the greatest, most disruptive pass-rushers in NFL history is finally taking his rightful place among the other NFL legends in Canton, Ohio. Charles Haley, in his 11th year of eligibility, can finally be called an NFL Hall of Famer.
Haley’s numbers alone embody those of a Hall of Famer. He’s the owner of 100.5 career sacks, tied for 29th in league history, according to pro-football-reference. He a five-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro at two different positions, and two-time NFC Defensive Player of the Year.
Maybe the most eye-popping number from Haley’s resume is his five Super Bowl rings, unmatched in league history. He was part of two separate NFL dynasties, winning two championships with the San Francisco 49ers, and three with the Dallas Cowboys.
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Haley was part of the last two of San Francisco’s three championships in the 1980’s, winning a ring in Super Bowl XXIII (1988) and XXIV (1989). He was traded to the Cowboys before the 1991 season, and was part of Dallas’ three championship teams in four years, in Super Bowl XXVII (1992), XXVIII (1993), and XXX (1995).
Haley was picked by the 49ers in the fourth round, 96th overall, in the NFL draft in 1986 from James Madison University, where he was a two-time All-American. His impact began immediately as an outside linebacker, as he led all rookies with 12 sacks en route to being named to the All-Rookie Team.
Over the next three years, while slowly transitioning to defensive end, he would lead the 49ers to two Super Bowl championships, as well as berths in the playoffs in all five seasons by the Bay. In 10 playoff games, he totaled 7.5 sacks, good for third in the franchise’s history.
Haley was dealt to Dallas after his fifth year with the 49ers, and picked up right where he left. The team made the playoffs in each of his first four years, including winning three Super Bowls, in 1992, 1993, and 1995.
He totaled three and a half sacks in his time with a star on his helmet in the playoffs, bringing his career total to 11, good for third in playoff history. His 4.5 sacks in the Super Bowl is also the most all-time.
Injuries halted his career in 1996, as a back injury limited him to just five games that season. He retired from professional football after surgery, but returned to his first home, the 49ers in the 1998 playoffs as a backup defensive end.
Haley played all 16 games in 1999, and racked up three sacks, bringing his career total to 100.5. Haley would retire again after the season, this time for good. He joined the Detroit Lions coaching staff the next season.
The biggest knock on Haley, and the likely reason he was kept out of Canton for so long, was his off-field behavior. Haley was known for his sporadic, and sometimes volatile attitude, which made him extremely difficult, almost impossible to deal with by media, teammates and ownership, despite his relentless work ethic on the field.
A lot of the behavioral issues can be attributed to Haley’s bipolar disorder, which went undiagnosed until 2002, years after his playing career ended.
This is not Haley’s first election to a Hall of Fame, though it is quite easily his most high-profile. The Gladys, Virginia-native joined the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2006, the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011, and the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. He was also placed in the Cowboys “Ring of Honor” in 2011, taking his spot among the best players in the franchise’s history.
It only took 11 years, and being a Hall of Fame finalist five times, for Haley to finally be recognized as one of the greatest players in NFL history. He was never the easiest person to get along with, but that was doubly true if you were an opposing quarterback.
Haley has a fistful of Super Bowl rings, and is enshrined in a Ring of Honor. Now, he will receive another ring, as a Pro Football Hall of Famer
Congratulations, Charles Haley, on being selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame!