Diompillor America - News around the Kissi Community

Tamba Hali was thrown into the fray in the second game of his true freshman season and has made very good strides on the field the last two seasons. But, making his collegiate football debut as an 18-year-old against Nebraska was nothing compared to some of his experiences in his native Liberia. The African nation was ravaged by civil war during Hali’s youth and he fled the country as a 10-year-old, joining his father, Henry, a chemistry and physics teacher who already was in the United States.

His mother, Rachel Keita, and much of his family still reside in Liberia and Hali remains hopeful that he will be reunited with his family in the near future. An athletic young man with a great deal of potential, Hali started 11 games last year at defensive tackle and is Penn State’s third-leading returning tackler. Prior to spring drills, he was shifted to defensive end, where he continued to flourish and solidified his position as a probable starter. A strong and driven leader, Hali brings tremendous athleticism, attitude and toughness to the D-Line and will be counted on for leadership and consistently productive play.

He has very good size, strength and quickness and has the ability to be a dominant physical presence. He has played in the last 24 games and joins Derek Wake as the Nittany Lions’ most experienced defensive linemen. Hali has the potential to be a big-play performer for the defense and emerge as an All-Big Ten candidate this season. Read more about this gentle hero...