Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 28, 1990 TAG: 9006280161
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Bill Brill
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Haley has led the 49ers in sacks every year from his defensive end position. He has been to the Pro Bowl. He says he will play four more seasons. Period.
He is 26 years old. Unless the 49ers make the Super Bowl in 1994, Haley will retire before his 30th birthday.
Then, he said, he will do "nothing, absolutely nothing."
Not a bad position in life for a guy from Gladys, a blip on the road map along U.S. 501, some 25 miles south of Lynchburg.
Haley is a private person. He was in Roanoke on Wednesday to talk to the youngsters at Gary Clark's "Say No to Drugs" sports camp, and he's fine with the kids but ill at ease with the media.
He has houses in California and Virginia, the latter a recent acquisition. Where? Haley will not say.
Gladys, on the other hand, is in Campbell County. Haley went to William Campbell High at Naruna and on to James Madison University, where eventual Redskin Clark - another country boy from Pulaski - already was a star as a junior.
It was at JMU, Haley said in response to a question from one of the campers, that he tried drugs. It was the first and only time, he said.
"When I was in college, marijuana was the biggest thing," said Haley, who didn't identify the drug he used. "Now it's more dangerous, crack and cocaine. We've got to get better educated to drugs."
Haley doesn't plan to work after he finishes with the NFL. He believes he will have enough money so that will not be necessary.
He will not remain idle, obviously. A 30-year-old man, 6 feet 5 and 230 chiseled pounds, has got to stay busy. He will, he said, do volunteer work, similar what he is doing at the Clark camp. "Maybe I'll be a volunteer coach, just to keep my hand in," he said.
As far as drugs are concerned, Haley told the audience that some teammates had ruined their lives. "A couple of good players went down because of drugs."
Why would any professional athlete use drugs, what with the millions of dollars just floating around for the taking? "Pigheaded a little bit," he said.
As for himself, "You learn from it. You can't dwell on it."
College athletes, he said, "are on a full ride [scholarship], they get involved in things they've got no business doing."
Staying away from drugs, having seen the danger, "keeps me motivated," Haley said. That was the message he had for the youngsters. "Once you're a criminal, you're always a criminal."
Haley said the 49ers were able to repeat their Super Bowl championship because "we overcame adversity. Bill Walsh left [as coach]; George Seifert took over. Usually, when a new coach comes in, he cleans house. Everybody had to be prepared."
In many respects, the 49ers resemble to Detroit Pistons of the NBA, who just won their second straight title. The emphasis is on team play and good ownership.
"We're not a selfish team," he said. "Jealousy wrecks a team after success."
Haley credits Walsh with "setting a great tone for the organization. He was a great authoritarian."
Seifert is not, he said. "They're completely different. But George tried to implant the same policies." Obviously with success; witness the record thrashing of Denver in the Super Bowl.
Good management helps. Edward DeBartolo Jr. is the best NFL owner, Haley said. "By far."
Super Bowl and Pro Bowl rings notwithstanding, football requires a disciplined lifestyle. It's hard on the body, especially when you are being blocked by 300-pound behemoths.
So Haley said it's four years and out. "That's my goal." Then, "It will be volunteer stuff, on my own time."
Is he prepared for such a dramatic change? "I'm ready," he said.
by CNB