gold star for USAHOF

Champ Bailey Retires



It was announced today that Cornerback, Champ Bailey has decided to officially retire from Professional Football.  Bailey, who was cut by the New Orleans Saints in the pre-season, has decided not to continue, although he did receive feelers from a few NFL teams. 

Bailey was a standout at the University at Georgia, where he was a consensus All American in 1998 and the winner of the Bronco Nagurski Award as the Nations top Defensive Player.  Bailey would also contribute on Special Teams and occasionally on Offence where he had five Touchdowns.

In the 1999 NFL Draft, Bailey was chosen in the First Round (the seventh pick overall) by the Washington Redskins and immediately was inserted as the starter at Left Cornerback.  He was not just a starter, but was a great compliment to veterans Deion Sanders and Darrell Green, who helped mentor the young Georgian.

In the next three seasons, Bailey would move up to Pro Bowl Level, earning the forst three of what would be a record twelve appearances to Hawaii as a Cornerback.  However, his time in Washington would end after only four seasons.

With his contract up, the Redskins intended to put the franchise tag on Bailey, which caused Bailey threaten to holdout.  Washington surprisingly sought out trade options and worked with the Cornerback to move him out.  He landed in Denver in a trade where along with a second round pick, he was swapped for Running Back Clinton Portis.  Bailey, who was already considered one of the top Corners in the NFL, moved to an elite level in the Mie High City.

In his first three seasons with the Broncos, Champ Bailey was named a First Team All Pro and statistically in 2006 he would lead the NFL in Interceptions and Interception Return Yards.  Bailey would cause opposing Quarterbacks for years to avoid him, and he has the distinction of being one of the few regular starting Cornerbacks to go an entire season without allowing a Touchdown in multiple seasons. 

For his efforts, Bailey was named a member of the NFL 2000’s All Decade Team, a two time NFL Alumni Defensive Back of the Year and was clearly one of the best players to ever the play the position during his era.

The last professional game that he suited up for was with the Denver Broncos in last year’s devastating Super Bowl loss against the Seattle Seahawks.  Due to salary cap restrictions, Bailey was cut by Seattle and signed in the off season with the Saints, though failed to make the regular season roster. 

Overall, Champ Bailey retires with 51 Interceptions and 812 Solo Tackles.  It is widely expected that he has done more than enough to be considered a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, and barring a return to the sport he will be eligible in 2019.

Thanks Champ for the memories, and we will see you on our list soon, and in Canton shortly there after!  


Last modified on Thursday, 19 March 2015 18:47
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