ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 26, 1996 TAG: 9601260080
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: TEMPE, ARIZ.
SOURCE: Associated Press
DALLAS' DEFENSIVE END wants to win an unprecedented fifth Super Bowl ring.
Unlike some members of the glitzy Dallas Cowboys, Charles Haley isn't a jewelry freak.
He doesn't even wear any of his four diamond-encrusted Super Bowl rings, two from Dallas and two from San Francisco.
``I have them in a safety deposit box,'' said the former James Madison University standout. ``If I wear them, then it might make me comfortable with what I have accomplished. I still have another one, the fifth one, to go. If I win that one, then I might wear it.''
The defensive end can set a record for Super Bowl rings on Sunday if the Dallas Cowboys beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.
``I really want another one,'' Haley said. ``The only way I won't play on Sunday is if I die before then. There is a lot of history involved here.''
He's lucky to even get another shot at a ring.
Haley missed seven weeks because of surgery for a ruptured disk in his back, and thought his playing days were over.
He even said so.
``My career is over. I'm through,'' he said.
Coach Barry Switzer thought so, too.
``The season is over for Charles and we'll see what happens about next year,'' he said.
The next day, Haley recanted, saying he didn't want to give up on the Cowboys' season.
``I just had to try to come back in case the team made it to the Super Bowl,'' he said. ``I worked hard in rehab. I'll be out there Sunday hoping the AFC losing streak can be extended to 12.''
Haley could play again next year; a lot depends on Sunday.
``It depends on how I come out of this game,'' said the 31-year-old. ``We'll let the doctors do some evaluations of what I can look forward to. ''
Haley said if he does come back, he'll catch some flak from his wife.
``She always asks me, `How much money is enough?''' Haley said. ``I do want to be able to play with my kids and be physically OK. I'll think about it anyway. Right now, I just want to enjoy this. It's probably my last hurrah.''
Haley had great success against Pittsburgh the last time he faced the Steelers. He got four sacks and created havoc with the Steelers offensive line and tackle John Jackson.
``It was a humbling experience,'' Jackson said. ``But I think I'm a better player now.''
Said Pittsburgh quarterback Neil O'Donnell: ``You've got to be aware of him all the time.''
Before he was hurt, Haley had 10 sacks this year; he is just three sacks short of becoming the 12th NFL player with a career 100 sacks.
``I know I'll really miss the game if I have to retire after the Super Bowl,'' he said. ``Maybe I can get more money out of Jerry Jones if I retire again and come back.''
Jones lured Haley out of retirement with a $3 million bonus and a four-year, $12 million contract.
``Maybe I'll be back,'' Haley said. ``There were times it didn't look like either me or the team would be here.''
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. Charles Haley, a former standout at James Madison,by CNBmissed seven games for surgery on his back, but will play in the
Super Bowl. KEYWORDS: FOOTBALL