Wednesday, August 20, 2003

By Ray Fittipaldo, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

When Liberian President Charles Taylor boarded a plane that flew him into exile earlier this month, Happy Valley became a happy place for Tamba Hali.

A sophomore defensive tackle on the Penn State football team, Hali has spent most of his life in this country, but he has never forgotten about his family in his homeland, Liberia. Hali was taken by his father to the United States when he was a baby. His mother stayed behind with her family. He has not spoken to his mother in about a year and last heard through a family friend that she was in a hospital.

Liberia has been embroiled in civil war since 1989 that has killed hundreds of thousands. Many more are homeless and starving with the country's economy in disarray.

"Right now it's just disaster out there," Hali said.

Hali is 6 feet 3 and 271 pounds and will start at defensive tackle for the Nittany Lions this season. He grew up in Teaneck, N.J., and developed into one of the top defensive linemen in the country by the time he was a high school senior.

Had it not been for his move to the United States, Hali knows he could have been among the young men fighting the war, the ones seen shooting automatic weapons in the streets of Monrovia.

"Just looking at the things going on, I'm happy that President Bush is sending troops down there, so it can help ease the peace and help get Charles Taylor out of office," Hali said at Penn State's media day at Beaver Stadium. "He was not doing any good. Civilians are dying for no reason. Just killing random people.

"When the U.S. goes into Iraq, they don't go in shooting at innocent people. They go in there with a purpose. These kids in Liberia are just shooting at anyone they see. They're not educated. It makes me mad and sad to know that my mom is still in that country. Her life is on the line."

When Hali is not practicing with the team, he is trying to get the latest on the situation in Liberia. He does not bring up his personal situation with teammates, but most are aware and ask questions.

"A lot of guys know about things going on," he said. "We have a lot of smart people on the team. We have kids who watch the news. They know what's going on in different countries. We sometimes sit down and talk about it. But I don't bring up my personal life up with them. I don't want their sorrow."

Hali said he is looking forward to speaking with his mother soon. Eventually, he would like to help her come to America. He knows that process could be a long one, given today's strict immigration policies. If it can't be arranged, he said he would like to visit her in Liberia.

"I ask how she's doing. She tells me how she's doing," Hali said. "I was a baby when I came over here, so she's always glad to hear from me. I'm growing up. I'm a man. She's hearing this deep voice over the phone. She's seen my picture because I've sent her pictures, but she hasn't seen me [in person], and I haven't seen her.

"We're trying to get her out of that country and into another country. And then when things settle, we can file for her."

That's all in the future. The present is being occupied by school and football.

Hali is one of three new starters on a defensive line that lost Jimmy Kennedy, Anthony Adams and Michael Haynes to the NFL. Hali is the most experienced defensive tackle returning. As one of three true freshmen to play last season, he played in the final 12 games and made 10 tackles, including a season-high three in the Capital One Bowl against Auburn.

"I never knew I could play football until the ninth grade," he said. "And to come to such a successful university for football ... I'm happy for everything."

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