I know you've been thinking about it. Some of you have even emailed me in disgust. One email came in at 2 am.
What is keeping you up nights?
Charles Haley.
Or, more correctly, the fact that Charles Haley is on my "Ten Greatest NFL Players of All Time" list.
I'm sure some of you are cussing at this very moment.
But, before you ask for my head on a platter, I want you to consider Mr. Haley's case.
Charles Haley was born in Lynchburg, VA in 1964. He went on to play defensive end/linebacker at James Madison University. He was drafted by the 49ers in 1986 and played for that organization until he was traded to the Cowboys in 1992. He played for Dallas until his retirement (due to injury) in 1996. He came out of retirement for a few games in 1998 and 1999 (playing for the 49ers), but his injuries limited him to relief play. So, long story short, Haley only played 10 NFL seasons. Not a bad career, but significantly shorter than some of his contemporaries (e.g., Strahan played 15 seasons).
Concessions:
(1) Haley's career is hard to decipher because he had injury problems. Some of this had to do with his "hybrid" playing style. Haley was not big enough to play DE in the NFL and not "thick" enough to play LB. As a result, he had to rely on speed and skill to be effective. And that takes a toll on the body. But..on the positive side...Haley was one of the first hybrid DE/LBs that managed to be successful in the NFL as an every down player. In fact, it is no longer unusual to see hybrids like Haley (look at Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and New England).
(2) Haley played for great teams. The 80s 49ers and the 90s Cowboys are two dynasties. That's the luck of the draw. Someone needs to hug Howie Long. And Junior Seau. Poor guys.
(3) Haley was only named to two All-Pro teams (1990 and 1994). However, he was a hybrid playing in an era of football when hybrids weren't respected at all. So, Haley was often ignored at both the DE and LB position...as he wasn't an exemplar of either.
(4) He hasn't been voted into the Hall of Fame yet (although he hasn't been eligible that long). However, shortly before his death, Bill Walsh made a passionate case for Haley being inducted. And he will be. He will be. (I sound like Yoda)
The case:
(1) Charles Haley is the only player in the history of the NFL to win 5 Super Bowls. Yeah, he played for two great frachises. Yeah, that is a team trophy. Yeah, that is a stat (and I said stats alone weren't enough). But 5 Super Bowls is 5 Super Bowls. And he won 2 with one team and 3 with another (i.e., consistency across teams). He's a bit like Robert Horry in this regard (Horry has won 8 NBA Championships with 3 different teams).
And there is something about winning again and again that denotes greatness. I mean, yes, Charles Haley was kind of a jerk-off. I know that. Everyone knows that. And, yes, there are several other DEs and LBs that put up more impressive stats. For example, Derrick Thomas was a superior player. Hell, Thomas had 7 sacks in a single game (in a losing effort against future hall of famer Dave Krieg and the Seattle Seahawks). But Thomas couldn't bring home the championship. Does that mean Thomas wasn't a great player? No. However, I think it is unfair to fault Haley simply because his individual stats aren't equal to those of other guys. We always say "winning before stats."
Well, Haley won.
A crapload.
(2) He was the best defensive player for all three Cowboys Super Bowl teams. He was the first or second best defensive player on both 49ers Super Bowl teams (a case can be made for Ronnie Lott). They say defenses win championships. Well, the 49ers and Cowboys won championships. And Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, and Emmit Smith didn't play defense (and several of those guys are on the top 10 list anyway).
(3) In 10 seasons, he had 100.5 sacks. Only 22 players have achieved this feat.
(4) He was named to 5 pro-bowls....impressive given injury and his hybrid nature.
Does Charles Haley have to be in the top 10? I think it is fair to say "no." But I also think it is fair to say that he is underrated. And that he deserves consideration.
Everyone wants to win Superbowl championships in the NFL. And, in that regard, no one faired better than Charles Lewis Haley.
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