Chiefs' Hali lets play dictate what people think

By Dave Skretta

Associated Press

Published: Tuesday, Dec. 20 2011 12:16 p.m. MST

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali (91) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 19-14.

Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

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Summary

Tamba Hali is the quintessential reluctant superstar.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Tamba Hali is the quintessential reluctant superstar.

The Kansas City Chiefs' outside linebacker racked up three sacks in his team's 19-14 upset of the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, pushing his season total to 12. He had 14½ last year, a breakout season that earned him a five-year, $60 million contract that includes $35 million guaranteed.

By all accounts, Hali should be the face of the franchise. But he's not.

Hali has never sought the spotlight. He rarely speaks publicly, unless it's to fans and friends off the record. He prefers to let his performance on the field dictate what people think of him, and lately those thoughts have all been positive.

Says interim coach Romeo Crennel: "He just keeps going and going and going."

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