Charles Haley facts for kids
Haley in 2024
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| No. 94, 95 | |||||||||||||||||
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| Position: | Defensive end Linebacker |
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| Born: | January 6, 1964 Gladys, Virginia, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 252 lb (114 kg) | ||||||||||||||||
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| High school: | William Campbell (Naruna, Virginia) |
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| College: | James Madison (1982–1985) | ||||||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1986 / Round: 4 / Pick: 96 | ||||||||||||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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College Football Hall of Fame
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Charles Lewis Haley is a famous American former football player. He was born on January 6, 1964. Charles played in the National Football League (NFL) for two well-known teams: the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys.
He started his career as a special outside linebacker. Later, he became a defensive end. Charles Haley made history as the first player to win five Super Bowl championships. Only Tom Brady has won more, with seven titles. Haley won two Super Bowls with the 49ers and three with the Cowboys. He started in all five of these championship games. Charles Haley is honored in both the College Football Hall of Fame (since 2011) and the Pro Football Hall of Fame (since 2015).
Contents
Early Life and High School Football
Charles Haley grew up in Gladys, Virginia. He went to William Campbell High School in Naruna, Virginia. There, he was a key player on the football team for three years. He played as a linebacker and tight end.
In his final year, he was named the defensive player of the year. He also helped his team win the Seminole District championship. Besides football, Charles was also good at basketball. He was chosen for the All-district team in basketball too.
College Football Journey
When Charles Haley was finishing high school, not many colleges were trying to recruit him. He accepted a scholarship from James Madison University. This was the only Division I-A or I-AA school that offered him a spot.
He quickly became a starter as a freshman. He played as a defensive end and linebacker. In his first year, he had 85 tackles and 5 sacks. The next year, he moved to inside linebacker. He led his team with 143 tackles. Charles continued to be a top player throughout his college career. He finished with a school record of 506 tackles. He was named an All-American twice.
Playing in the NFL
First Time with the San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers picked Charles Haley in the fourth round of the 1986 NFL draft. He played as an outside linebacker in a special defense system. In his first year, he had 12 sacks, which was great for a rookie. He was even named to the NFL All-Rookie team.
From 1986 to 1991, Charles led the 49ers in sacks every season. He was a big part of the team that won Super Bowl XXIII and Super Bowl XXIV. These were his first two Super Bowl rings.
By 1992, Charles had some disagreements with his team. This led the 49ers to trade him to the Dallas Cowboys.
Joining the Dallas Cowboys
In 1992, Charles Haley joined the Dallas Cowboys. He became a defensive end for their team. He helped the Cowboys' defense become the best in the league. Charles is often seen as the missing piece that helped the Cowboys become a Super Bowl winning team. He received the UPI NFC Defensive Player of the Year Award.
In 1993, Charles showed his passion for winning. He was upset when a key player, Emmitt Smith, was not playing. This made the team start the season with two losses. After Smith returned, the Cowboys got back on track. They became the first team to win a Super Bowl after starting 0–2. Charles helped them win Super Bowl XXVII and Super Bowl XXVIII.
He faced some challenges with back injuries during his time with the Cowboys. Despite this, he continued to play well. In 1995, he helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl XXX. This was his fifth Super Bowl title, making him the first player to achieve this. He retired after the 1996 season due to his back injuries and personal family matters.
Back with the San Francisco 49ers
After being away from football for almost two years, Charles Haley returned to the San Francisco 49ers. He signed with them in January 1999 to help their team during the playoffs. He played two games that season.
He was re-signed for the 1999 season. He recorded 3 sacks before retiring for good.
Career Highlights and Records
In his 12 seasons in the NFL, Charles Haley had 100.5 quarterback sacks. He also had two interceptions and eight fumble recoveries. He was chosen to play in five Pro Bowl games. He was also named an NFL All-Pro twice. Charles Haley was the first player in NFL history to win five Super Bowl rings.
Honors and Recognition
Charles Haley was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015. This is a huge honor for football players. He felt that his election might have been delayed because of his strong personality. He believed that what he did on the field should be the main reason for getting into the Hall of Fame. On August 8, 2015, Charles was officially inducted.
He was also inducted into the San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame in 2015. Before these honors, he was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. He also joined the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011. In 2011, he was honored by the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor.
Life After Football
After his football career, Charles Haley faced some personal challenges. He later became an assistant defensive coach for the Detroit Lions from 2001 to 2002. Today, he works as a special advisor. He helps mentor new players for both the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers.
Charles Haley also dedicates his time to helping others. He supports local groups like the Jubilee Centre and The Salvation Army. He also started a foundation called Tackle Tomorrow. This foundation helps schools in the Dallas area. It provides reading programs and special teachers to help students improve their reading skills. Many former Cowboys players support his foundation.
His daughter, Madison Haley, is also a professional athlete. She is a soccer player. She currently plays for Brighton and Hove Albion in England's Women's Premier League.
