View source for Charles Haley

{{Short description|American football player (born 1964)}}
{{for|the mining engineer|Charles Scott Haley}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name          = Charles Haley
| image         = Charles Haley.jpg
| image_size    = 
| alt           = 
| caption       = Haley in 2024
| number        = 94, 95
| position      = [[Defensive end]] <br> [[Linebacker]]
| birth_date    = {{birth date and age|1964|1|6}}
| birth_place   = [[Gladys, Virginia]], U.S.
| death_date    = 
| death_place   = 
| height_ft     = 6
| height_in     = 5
| weight_lb     = 252
| high_school   = William Campbell <br> ([[Naruna, Virginia]])
| college       = [[James Madison Dukes football|James Madison]] (1982–1985)
| draftyear     = 1986
| draftround    = 4
| draftpick     = 96
| pastteams     = 
* [[San Francisco 49ers]] ({{NFL Year|1986|1991}})
* [[Dallas Cowboys]] ({{NFL Year|1992|1996}})
* San Francisco 49ers ({{NFL Year|1998|1999}})
| highlights    = 
* 5× [[List of Super Bowl champions|Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XXIII|XXIII]], [[Super Bowl XXIV|XXIV]], [[Super Bowl XXVII|XXVII]], [[Super Bowl XXVIII|XXVIII]], [[Super Bowl XXX|XXX]])
* 2× First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1990 All-Pro Team|1990]], [[1994 All-Pro Team|1994]])
* 5× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1989 Pro Bowl|1988]], [[1991 Pro Bowl|1990]], [[1992 Pro Bowl|1991]], [[1995 Pro Bowl|1994]], [[1996 Pro Bowl|1995]])
* [[PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team]] ([[PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team#1986|1986]])
* [[Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor]]
* [[San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame]]
* 2× First-team I-AA [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] (1984, 1985)
;NFL record
* Most career sacks in the Super Bowl: 4.5 (tied){{efn|With [[Von Miller]]}}
| statlabel1    = Total [[Tackle (football move)#Gridiron football|tackles]]
| statvalue1    = 503
| statlabel2    = [[Quarterback sack|Sacks]]
| statvalue2    = 100.5
| statlabel3    = [[Safety (gridiron football score)|Safeties]]
| statvalue3    = 1
| statlabel4    = Forced [[fumble]]s
| statvalue4    = 26
| statlabel5    = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue5    = 8
| statlabel6    = [[Pass deflections]]
| statvalue6    = 3
| statlabel7    = [[Interception]]s
| statvalue7    = 2
| statlabel8    = Defensive [[touchdown]]s
| statvalue8    = 1
| pfr           = HaleCh00
| HOF           = charles-haley
| CollegeHOF    = 2263
}}

'''Charles Lewis Haley''' (born January 6, 1964) is an American former professional [[American football|football]] player in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) for the [[San Francisco 49ers]] (1986–1991, 1998–1999) and [[Dallas Cowboys]] (1992–1996).

Haley began his career as a specialty [[outside linebacker]], then played as a defensive end because of a defensive scheme change from the [[3–4 defense|3–4]] to the [[4–3 defense]]. He was the first five-time [[Super Bowl]] champion; only [[Tom Brady]], with seven titles, has won more. He won two Super Bowls with the 49ers ([[Super Bowl XXIII|XXIII]], [[Super Bowl XXIV|XXIV]]) and three with the Cowboys ([[Super Bowl XXVII|XXVII]], [[Super Bowl XXVIII|XXVIII]], [[Super Bowl XXX|XXX]]); starting in all five championship games. Haley was inducted to the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 2011 and the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 2015.

==Early life==
Haley was born in [[Gladys, Virginia]]. He attended William Campbell High School in [[Naruna, Virginia]], where he was a three-year starter for the [[high school football|football]] team, playing [[linebacker]] and [[tight end]]. As a senior, he received defensive player of the year honors, All-Region III and All-Group AA accolades, while helping the team win the Seminole District championship.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sordelett |first=Damien |date=August 8, 2015 |title=William Campbell football standout Charles Haley to be inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame |url=http://www.newsadvance.com/sports/high_school/william-campbell-football-standout-charles-haley-to-be-inducted-into/article_7c3e002c-3dd1-11e5-b31d-077b3d7417ba.html |access-date=February 19, 2016 |website=The News & Advance |location=[[Lynchburg, Virginia]]}}</ref> He also played [[basketball]] and was an All-district selection.

==College career==
Haley was not highly recruited at the start of his senior season, so he accepted a scholarship from [[James Madison University]], which at the time was the only Division I-A or I-AA school to make an offer. He was named a starter at defensive end / linebacker as a freshman, posting 85 tackles (second on the team), 5 sacks, 6 passes defensed, and 4 forced fumbles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Michael |first=Gary |date=August 4, 2015 |title=Charles Haley: JMU Standout to NFL Hall of Famer – Part 1 |url=http://jmusports.com/news/2015/8/3/Football_0803152625.aspx |access-date=February 19, 2016 |website=JMUSports.com}}</ref>

The next year, Haley was moved to [[inside linebacker]], making 143 tackles (led the team) and 4 sacks. As a junior, he tallied 147 tackles (led the team), 3 sacks and 2 interceptions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Michael |first=Gary |date=August 5, 2015 |title=Charles Haley: JMU Standout to NFL Hall of Famer – Part 2 |url=http://jmusports.com/news/2015/8/5/Football_0805155605.aspx |access-date=February 19, 2016 |website=JMUSports.com}}</ref> In his final year he was switched to outside linebacker for the last four games, registering 131 tackles (second on the team), 5 quarterback sacks, 3 blocked kicks, and one interception.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Michael |first=Gary |date=August 6, 2015 |title=Charles Haley: JMU Standout to NFL Hall of Famer – Part 3 |url=http://jmusports.com/news/2015/8/6/Football_0806152552.aspx |access-date=February 19, 2016 |website=JMUSports.com}}</ref>

Haley was a two-time [[Division I-AA]] [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] and finished his career with 506 tackles (school record), 17 sacks, and 3 interceptions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 27, 2011 |title=Former JMU All-American Haley Elected to College Football Hall of Fame |url=http://www.jmusports.com/news/2011/5/27/Former_JMU_All_American_Haley_Elected_to_College_Football_Hall_of_Fame.aspx |access-date=February 19, 2016 |website=JMUSports.com}}</ref> Haley is a member of the Xi Delta chapter of [[Alpha Phi Alpha]] fraternity at James Madison.

==Professional career==

===San Francisco 49ers (first stint)===
Haley was selected by the [[San Francisco 49ers]] in the fourth round (96th overall) of the [[1986 NFL draft]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=1986 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1986/draft.htm |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> after dropping because he was initially timed at 4.8 seconds in the [[40-yard dash]], although he was later clocked by a 49ers scout at 4.55 seconds. He played [[outside linebacker]] in a [[3–4 defense]], finished second behind [[Leslie O'Neal]] for rookies with 12 sacks and was voted to the [[NFL]] All-Rookie team by ''[[Pro Football Weekly]]'' and the [[United Press International]]. The following year, he played again in a designated pass rusher role, coming into the game in likely passing situations, while making 25 tackles and 6.5 sacks.

In 1988, Haley was named the starter at [[outside linebacker|left outside linebacker]], registering 69 tackles, 11.5 sacks and would hold that spot through the 1991 season. The next year, he tallied 57 tackles and 10.5 sacks.

In 1990, Haley had 58 tackles and 9 passes defensed. He was third in the league with 16 sacks, voted the UPI NFC Defensive Player of the Year, and a consensus [[All-Pro]].

In 1991, Haley's relationship with the organization began to deteriorate after safety [[Ronnie Lott]] was left unprotected eligible to sign with any team under [[Plan B free agency]]. He still recorded 53 tackles, 6 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles and 7 sacks, tying for the team lead with [[Larry Roberts (American football)|Larry Roberts]]. While with the 49ers from 1986 to 1991, he led the team in sacks every season, and played on the [[Super Bowl XXIII]] and [[Super Bowl XXIV]] championship teams.

On August 26, 1992, Haley's volatile temperament and clashes with head coach [[George Seifert]] prompted the team to trade him to the [[Dallas Cowboys]] in exchange for a 1993 second round selection (#56-[[Vincent Brisby]]) and a 1994 third round selection (#99-[[Alai Kalaniuvalu]]).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Richards |first=Charles |date=August 27, 1992 |title=Haley traded to Cowboys |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19920827&id=G_xNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oIsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2241,4526960&hl=es |access-date=February 19, 2016 |website=[[The Free Lance–Star]] |location=[[Fredericksburg, Virginia]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 13, 1993 |title=Haley's return to be one of universal wonder |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1290&dat=19930113&id=_GEzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DI4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3852,6048246&hl=es |access-date=February 19, 2016 |website=Boca Raton News |location=[[Boca Raton, Florida]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

===Dallas Cowboys===
In 1992, Haley was moved to [[defensive end|right defensive end]] in the [[Dallas Cowboys]] [[4–3 defense]], made 39 tackles, 6 sacks, and 42 quarterback pressures (led the team), and helped the team improve from 17th in total defense in 1991 to first.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charles Haley 1992 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HaleCh00/gamelog/1992/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1992 Dallas Cowboys Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/1992.htm |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Haley received the UPI NFC Defensive Player of the Year Award and was a consensus All-Pro once again. He is often mentioned as the final piece that helped propel the Cowboys into a [[Super Bowl]] contender.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Archer |first=Todd |date=January 30, 2015 |title=2015 Hall of Fame finalist: Charles Haley |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas-cowboys/post/_/id/4740199/2015-hall-of-fame-finalist-charles-haley |access-date=February 19, 2016 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

In 1993, Haley made headlines after smashing his helmet through a concrete wall in the locker room following a home loss to the [[Buffalo Bills]], showing his displeasure with the team's inability to sign holdout running back [[Emmitt Smith]], which contributed to an 0–2 start and put the season in jeopardy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 14, 1993 |title=Cowboys in chaos |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1665&dat=19930914&id=qVQaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QiUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3235,3402356&hl=es |access-date=February 19, 2016 |website=Times-News |location=[[Hendersonville, North Carolina]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> The Cowboys relented and reached an agreement with Smith the following week, getting them back on track and making them the first team to win a Super Bowl after starting a season 0–2. Haley registered 41 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 passes defensed, and 3 forced fumbles, but his recurring back problems began to require a series of surgeries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charles Haley 1993 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HaleCh00/gamelog/1993/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

In 1994, Haley recovered from off-season surgery (lumbar microdiscectomy) to post 68 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and 52 quarterback pressures.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charles Haley 1994 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HaleCh00/gamelog/1994/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He immediately announced his retirement after losing 38–28 to the 49ers in the [[1994–95 NFL playoffs#NFC Championship: San Francisco 49ers 38, Dallas Cowboys 28|NFC Championship game]], but decided to return after being offered a new contract.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 8, 1995 |title=Cowboys' Haley Sacks Plans To Retire |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19950308&id=8pRaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=S0sDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6505,1527905&hl=es |access-date=February 19, 2016 |website=[[The Victoria Advocate]] |location=[[Victoria, Texas]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

In 1995, Haley posted 10.5 sacks, 33 quarterback pressures, and 35 tackles in the first 10 games, until suffering a ruptured disk against the [[Washington Redskins]], which derailed his season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charles Haley 1995 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HaleCh00/gamelog/1995/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He started in [[Super Bowl XXX]] six weeks after having back surgery, making one sack, 3 quarterback pressures, and 5 tackles.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 5, 1995 |title=Cowboys' Haley Retires Again |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1980&dat=19951205&id=-UElAAAAIBAJ&sjid=M64FAAAAIBAJ&pg=6229,1397627&hl=es |access-date=February 19, 2016 |website=[[The Item]] |location=[[Sumter, South Carolina]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 24, 1996 |title=Cowboys' Haley ready to return |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19960123&id=ubYeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=X88EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6779,1544155&hl=es |access-date=February 19, 2016 |website=[[Spartanburg Herald-Journal]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> The next year, with the team trying to limit him to 30 plays per game, he appeared in the first three contests and in week 9 and 10 before being deactivated with a back injury.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 15, 1996 |title=Cowboys' Haley Faces Surgery Again |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19961115&id=ltFPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iQcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3477,9245746&hl=es |access-date=February 19, 2016 |website=[[Star-Banner]] |location=[[Ocala, Florida]]}}</ref> He retired after the season,<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 16, 1997 |title=Dallas Loses Two Greats In Haley And Novacek |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19970716&id=fi4iAAAAIBAJ&sjid=86YFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1557,189484&hl=es |access-date=February 19, 2016 |website=[[Reading Eagle]] |location=[[Reading, Pennsylvania]]}}</ref> because of his back injuries and his youngest daughter Brianna being diagnosed with [[leukemia]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 16, 1997 |title=Charles Haley trying to find bone marrow donor for daughter |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1988&dat=19971116&id=NFEiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ba0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=4283,1426668&hl=es |access-date=February 19, 2016 |website=[[Argus-Press|The Argus-Press]] |location=[[Owosso, Michigan]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

===San Francisco 49ers (second stint)===
On January 2, 1998, Haley was signed by the 49ers after being out of football for almost two years to provide depth for an injury depleted [[defensive line]] in the playoffs (2 games).<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 2, 1999 |title=San Francisco Plans To Bring Charles Haley Back |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1291&dat=19990102&id=OUlUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bI4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6096,347924&hl=es |access-date=February 19, 2016 |website=[[Boca Raton News]] |location=[[Boca Raton, Florida]]}}</ref> He was re-signed for the 1999 season and tallied 3 sacks.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 22, 1999 |title=Haley sticks with Niners |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1314&dat=19990722&id=7mNWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=G_IDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6334,880321&hl=es |access-date=February 19, 2016 |website=[[The Spokesman-Review]] |location=[[Spokane, Washington]]}}</ref>

=== Career statistics ===
In his 12 NFL seasons, Haley recorded 100.5 quarterback sacks, two interceptions (nine return yards), and eight fumble recoveries, which he returned for nine yards and a touchdown. He was also selected to play in five [[Pro Bowl]]s (1988, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995) and was named NFL All-Pro in 1990 and 1994. In his first four seasons in Dallas, he was on three Super Bowl-winning teams: in 1992 ([[Super Bowl XXVII|XXVII]]), 1993 ([[Super Bowl XXVIII|XXVIII]]), and 1995 ([[Super Bowl XXX|XXX]]). He was the first player with more than four Super Bowl Rings.

==Honors==
Haley was elected to the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 2015 after several years of eligibility and his bust was sculpted by [[Scott Myers]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Gutierrez | first=Paul | title=Former 49ers linebacker Charles Haley selected to Pro Football Hall of Fame | website=ESPN.com | date=2015-02-01 | url=https://www.espn.com/blog/san-francisco-49ers/post/_/id/12161/former-49ers-linebacker-charles-haley-selected-to-pro-football-hall-of-fame | access-date=2025-06-22}}</ref> Haley felt that his election may have been delayed by his image and behavior: "I thought that what you do on the field would govern whether you get in the Hall". On August 8, 2015, Haley was inducted at the Enshrinement Ceremony where his bust was unveiled.  He was also inducted into the San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame in 2015.

Prior to that, Haley was inducted into 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 enshrined into the [[Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor]] on November 6, 2011.<ref name="ESPN">{{Cite web |last=Watkins |first=Calvin |date=November 7, 2011 |title=Drew Pearson, Charles Haley honored |url=https://www.espn.com/dallas/nfl/story/_/id/7199659/dallas-cowboys-induct-three-more-ring-honor |access-date=August 11, 2014 |website=ESPN}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Charles Haley with fans.jpg|thumb|upright=.75|Haley with fans in 2024]]
After football, Haley was diagnosed with [[bipolar disorder]] and began to undergo therapy and to take medication.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Townsend |first=Brad |date=January 3, 2010 |title=With therapy, grit, ex-Cowboy Haley tackles bipolar disorder |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/news/2010/01/03/20100102-With-therapy-grit-ex-4630 |access-date=May 23, 2017 |website=[[Dallas News]]}}</ref> Haley was an assistant defensive coach for the [[Detroit Lions]] from 2001 to 2002. He is a special advisor mentoring rookies for both the [[Dallas Cowboys]] and [[San Francisco 49ers]]. He also has dedicated his life to help fund several local initiatives with organizations such as [[Jubilee Centre]] and [[The Salvation Army]]. He is the founder of Tackle Tomorrow which provides struggling schools in the Dallas area with reading programs and special teachers to help students improve their reading skills. Tackle Tomorrow is an active foundation with support from the Dallas community and other Cowboys such as [[Dak Prescott]], [[DeMarcus Lawrence]], [[Tony Tolbert]], [[Troy Aikman]], [[Emmitt Smith]], [[Michael Irvin]], and many others.

His daughter, [[Madison Haley]], is a professional soccer player who currently plays for [[Brighton & Hove Albion W.F.C.|Brighton and Hove Albion]] in the [[Women's Super League|Women's Premier League]] in England.<ref name="SMH">{{cite news |last=Rugari |first=Vince |title='He knows to stay in his lane': Daughter of NF royalty making her own name with Sydney FC |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/he-knows-to-stay-in-his-lane-daughter-of-nfl-royalty-making-her-own-name-with-sydney-fc-20230203-p5chph.html |access-date=May 9, 2023 |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |date=February 9, 2023}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Footballstats |nfl= |cfl= |afl= |espn= |cbs= |yahoo= |fox= |si= |pfr=H/HaleCh00 |dbf=HALEYCHA01 |rotoworld=}}
* {{Profootballhof|id=288|name=Charles Haley}}
* {{cfbhof|id=2263|name=Charles Haley}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160811075515/https://www.dallascowboys.com/ring-of-honor/charles-haley Charles Haley Cowboys Ring of Honor]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160811063944/https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2009/06/26/cowboys-top-50 Dallas Cowboys Top 50 players]
* {{IMDb name|2185521}}

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{{49ers1986DraftPicks}}
{{Super Bowl XXIII}}
{{Super Bowl XXIV}}
{{Super Bowl XXVII}}
{{Super Bowl XXVIII}}
{{Super Bowl XXX}}
{{100 sacks club}}
{{Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor}}
{{San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame}}
{{2015 Football HOF}}
{{Pro Football Hall of Fame members}}
}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Haley, Charles}}
[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American football defensive ends]]
[[Category:American football linebackers]]
[[Category:College Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Dallas Cowboys players]]
[[Category:James Madison Dukes football players]]
[[Category:National Conference Pro Bowl players]]
[[Category:People from Campbell County, Virginia]]
[[Category:People with bipolar disorder]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Dallas]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Lynchburg, Virginia]]
[[Category:Players of American football from San Francisco]]
[[Category:Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:San Francisco 49ers players]]