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Charles Lewis Haley (born January 6, 1964 in Lynchburg, Virginia) is a former American football linebacker and defensive end in the NFL who played for the San Francisco 49ers (1986-1991, 1999) and the Dallas Cowboys (1992-1996). He was selected in the fourth round of the 1986 NFL Draft out of James Madison University. A versatile defensive player, Haley began his career as a specialty outside linebacker, eventually progressing to pass-rusher and finally full-fledged defensive end. Haley had the reputation of being a volatile and unpredictable yet exceptionally talented and hard working player.
Haley has the distinction of being the only player in NFL history to have been on five Super Bowl-winning teams. To date, no other player has surpassed this achievement. Playing for San Francisco from 1986-1991, he won a ring from Super Bowl XXIII and XXIV following the 1988 and 1989 seasons, respectively. After having a falling out with then 49ers head coach George Seifert and a physical confrontation with then 49ers quarterback Steve Young, he was traded to Dallas in the 1992 off-season. With the Dallas Cowboys, he won three more Super Bowl rings over the next four seasons in 1992 (Super Bowl XXVII), 1993 (XXVIII), and 1995 (XXX).
Although injuries would eventually force retirement in 1996, Haley did briefly come out of retirement for the 1998 playoffs to aid his former team, the 49ers, and afterwards played another season in 1999 for them. Finally out of playing football for good, Haley turned to assistant coaching, and was a defensive assistant for the Detroit Lions.
In his 12 NFL seasons, Haley recorded 100.5 quarterback sacks, 2 interceptions (9 return yards), and 8 fumble recoveries, which he returned for 9 yards and a touchdown. He was also selected to play in 5 Pro Bowls (1988, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995) and was named NFL All-Pro in 1990 and 1994.
Haley's supporters, who included the late Bill Walsh, believe his personal accomplishments, especially his record five Super Bowl rings, make him worthy of induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.[citation needed] However, in his first few years of eligibility Haley has not made it to the list of 15 finalists. Haley was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.
Haley is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African-Americans. He entered the organization through the Xi Delta Chapter at James Madison University located in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
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