Charles Haley
FootballAdvocate
United States
Charles Haley is a former NFL linebacker and defensive end who played for the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys. He became the first player in NFL history to win five Super Bowls and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015. [1]
Career and work
Haley was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 1986 NFL Draft and developed into one of the league’s leading pass rushers. He played linebacker and defensive end during a 12-season NFL career split between the 49ers and Dallas Cowboys. [1]
He won two Super Bowls with San Francisco and three with Dallas, becoming the first player in NFL history to win five Super Bowl championships. Haley finished his career with 100.5 sacks, was selected to five Pro Bowls, earned two first-team All-Pro selections, and was twice named NFC Defensive Player of the Year. [1]
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015. [1]
What has been publicly discussed
Sources and other resourcesExpand to view the sources used in this profile and resources to learn more.
Sources used for this profile
The following sources contain information that supports the claims made on this page.
Pro Football Hall of FameCharles Haley Provides career information including Haley’s NFL teams, five Super Bowl championships, Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections, career sack total, and Hall of Fame induction.
Sports Illustrated / The MMQBCharles Haley opens up about bipolar disorder A substantial interview covering Haley’s bipolar diagnosis, suicidal thinking, behaviour during his playing career, reluctance to seek help, and later decision to speak publicly about mental illness.
InterviewSFGateKNBR conversation with Charles Haley Supports Haley’s diagnosis, treatment history, medication, and reflections on recognizing that he needed professional help.
Interview
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CBS New YorkCharles Haley discusses his temper and bipolar disorder Supports Haley’s account of initially resisting medication and later accepting treatment as part of managing his illness.
WBUR, Only A GameCharles Haley: Fear No Evil Covers Haley’s later treatment, including his experience at La Paloma Treatment Center, and his reflections on living with bipolar disorder.
The Menninger ClinicMenninger Signature Luncheon tackles stigma with Charles Haley Documents Haley’s mental-health advocacy and contains his statement that bipolar disorder is something he expects to manage throughout his life and is no longer ashamed of.
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Recommended books and other resources about Charles Haley and their experiences.
- Fear No Evil: Tackling Quarterbacks & Demons on My Way to the Hall of FameBook · Charles Haley with Jeff Sullivan
Haley’s memoir about his NFL career, the behaviour and conflicts that marked much of it, his eventual bipolar diagnosis, treatment, and later efforts to understand and manage the illness.
- Charles Haley: 5 Super Bowl Rings — And A Lifelong Battle With Bipolar DisorderInterview · WBUR, Only A Game
A roughly ten-minute interview in which Haley discusses his football career, bipolar disorder, treatment, and the mistakes he hopes others can avoid.
- NFL Hall of Famer Charles Haley Bares Soul, Offers Life LessonsInterview · KPIX / CBS San Francisco
A longer interview focused on Haley’s life beyond football, including his bipolar diagnosis and his reflections on behaviour, relationships and mental health.
- Charles Haley discusses bipolar disorder and mental healthInterview · CBS Texas, 2022
A later interview in which Haley talks about living with bipolar disorder, stigma and why he now speaks publicly about mental health.