Champ Bailey
Encyclopedia
Roland "Champ" Bailey' is an American football
cornerback
for the Denver Broncos
of the National Football League
. Bailey was drafted in the 1st round (7th overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft
by the Washington Redskins
. He played college football
at the University of Georgia
.
Bailey is 8th among Broncos in all-time interceptions. He has appeared in 10 Pro Bowls (the most for any cornerback in NFL history), and is widely regarded as one of the best pass defenders in football history.
. He was one of the most reliable shutdown corners in his high school years and was widely sought by colleges across the nation.
. During his final year at Georgia as a junior, he registered 52 tackles (four for losses), three interceptions, seven passes defensed, 47 catches for 744 yards (15.8 avg.), five touchdowns, 84 yards rushing on 16 carries, 12 kickoff returns for 261 yards and four punt returns for 49 yards. He averaged 103.5 all-purpose yards per game and logged 957 plays (547 defense, 301 offense and 109 special teams) on the way to earning consensus All-America
and first-team All-Southeastern Conference
honors and claiming the Bronko Nagurski Trophy
as the nation’s top defensive player following his junior season. Against Virginia
in the Peach Bowl, he caught three passes for 73 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown, rushed three times for nine yards, returned five kickoffs for 104 yards, returned a punt 12 yards, and posted two tackles and one pass defended at cornerback. In three years at Georgia, he played 33 games (24 starts) and recorded 147 total tackles, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, eight interceptions and 27 passes defended. He was an All-SEC first-team selection as a sophomore, starting every game at left cornerback and one game at wide receiver. Bailey set a school indoor long jump record in 1998 of 25-10 3/4 feet to finish third at the SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships.
in the first round (seventh overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft
by the Washington Redskins
. He was the first player ever drafted from his hometown of Folkston, Georgia, an achievement Bailey states was big for his town to increase its interest in football.
cornerback teammates Deion Sanders
and Darrell Green
. After the 2003 season, Bailey's contract with the Redskins expired and he threatened to boycott training camp if the club exercised the franchise tag
. In a surprising move, the Redskins gave the four-time Pro Bowler permission to seek a trade.
) for Clinton Portis
. Following the trade, he signed a seven-year contract worth $63 million.
On September 12, 2004, during the NFL's opening Sunday Night Football game of the season, Bailey intercepted his first pass as a Denver Bronco.
On January 14, 2006, in a divisional playoff game against the New England Patriots
, Bailey broke the record for the longest non-scoring play in NFL
history. With the Patriots near the goal line, Bailey intercepted a pass from quarterback Tom Brady
in the end zone and returned it 100 yards to the Pats' one yard line before he was chased down and tackled by New England's Benjamin Watson
, who also happens to be a former Georgia Bulldog.
In 2006
, Bailey had ten interceptions (tied for best in the NFL with Asante Samuel
). Bailey also did not give up a touchdown during the season. Bailey, San Diego Chargers
running back
LaDainian Tomlinson
and Miami Dolphins
defensive end
Jason Taylor were unanimous choices for the NFL All-Pro team in 2006. Also in 2006, Ron Jaworski
stated during a MNF
pre-season game against the San Francisco 49ers
that Bailey only got tested 35 times and only four passes were completed over him, none for touchdowns.
In 2009, Champ Bailey did not allow one touchdown in 80 passes thrown his way that year, played in 98 percent of the snaps and remained one of the best-tackling cornerbacks in the game.
On September 15, 2009 Bailey was chosen in the Denver Broncos 50th Anniversary team by the Denver community. This team, including Bailey, was honored during the halftime-show of the Legacy game versus the New England Patriots
on October 11.
In 2010, Champ Bailey matched up against some of the NFL's best wideouts. Bailey held Dwayne Bowe
to zero catches on 2 targets. The Arizona Cardinals
only completed 3 passes on him for 19 yards in a game where he matched up with Larry Fitzgerald
. Champ Bailey was selected to play in his record breaking 10th Pro Bowl. No cornerback in NFL history has been to more.
It was announced on February 22, 2011 by the Denver Broncos vice president of football operations, John Elway
that Champ Bailey was re-signed to a 4-year contract
Boss Bailey
, who joined Champ on the Broncos for one season in 2008 after playing the first five years of his career on the Detroit Lions
. Champ, Boss, oldest brother Ronald, and cousin Kenny all played at Georgia.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
for the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. Bailey was drafted in the 1st round (7th overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft
1999 NFL Draft
The 1999 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 17-18, 1999...
by the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at the University of Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs football
The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54...
.
Bailey is 8th among Broncos in all-time interceptions. He has appeared in 10 Pro Bowls (the most for any cornerback in NFL history), and is widely regarded as one of the best pass defenders in football history.
High school years
Bailey attended and played football at Charlton County High SchoolCharlton County High School
Charlton County High School is a public high school located in Folkston, Georgia, USA. The school is part of the Charlton County School District which serves Charlton County, Georgia.-Athletics:...
. He was one of the most reliable shutdown corners in his high school years and was widely sought by colleges across the nation.
College career
Bailey was regarded as one of college football’s greatest multiple threats (offense, defense and special teams) in his three seasons at the University of GeorgiaUniversity of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
. During his final year at Georgia as a junior, he registered 52 tackles (four for losses), three interceptions, seven passes defensed, 47 catches for 744 yards (15.8 avg.), five touchdowns, 84 yards rushing on 16 carries, 12 kickoff returns for 261 yards and four punt returns for 49 yards. He averaged 103.5 all-purpose yards per game and logged 957 plays (547 defense, 301 offense and 109 special teams) on the way to earning consensus All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
and first-team All-Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
honors and claiming the Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Bronko Nagurski Trophy
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been awarded annually since 1993 to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the membership of the Football Writers Association of America to be the best defensively in the National Collegiate Athletic Association; the award is presented by the Charlotte...
as the nation’s top defensive player following his junior season. Against Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
in the Peach Bowl, he caught three passes for 73 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown, rushed three times for nine yards, returned five kickoffs for 104 yards, returned a punt 12 yards, and posted two tackles and one pass defended at cornerback. In three years at Georgia, he played 33 games (24 starts) and recorded 147 total tackles, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, eight interceptions and 27 passes defended. He was an All-SEC first-team selection as a sophomore, starting every game at left cornerback and one game at wide receiver. Bailey set a school indoor long jump record in 1998 of 25-10 3/4 feet to finish third at the SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships.
1999 NFL Draft
Bailey was draftedNFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
in the first round (seventh overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft
1999 NFL Draft
The 1999 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 17-18, 1999...
by the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
. He was the first player ever drafted from his hometown of Folkston, Georgia, an achievement Bailey states was big for his town to increase its interest in football.
| Pre-draft measureables | |||||||||||||||||||
| Height | Weight | 40-yard dash 40 yard dash The 40-yard dash is a sprint covering . It is primarily run to evaluate the speed of American football players by scouts, particularly for the NFL Draft but also for collegiate recruiting. A player's recorded time in the 40 can have a heavy impact on his prospects in college or professional football... |
10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20 ss 20 yard shuttle The 20-yard shuttle, also simply called the short shuttle, is a test performed by American football athletes at the NFL combine. It is primarily run to evaluate the quickness and change-of-direction ability of players by scouts, particularly for the NFL Draft but also for collegiate recruiting... |
3-cone 3 cone drill The 3 cone drill, or three cone drill, is a test performed by American football athletes at the NFL combine. It is primarily run to evaluate the agility, quickness and fluidity of movement of players by scouts, particularly for the NFL Draft but also for collegiate recruiting... |
Vert Vertical jump A vertical jump or vertical leap is the act of raising one's center of gravity higher in the vertical plane solely with the use of one's own muscles; it is a measure of how high an individual or athlete can elevate off the ground from a standstill.-Types of vertical jump:The vertical jump is... |
Broad | BP Bench press The bench press is an exercise of the upper body. For bodybuilding purposes, it is used to stimulate the pectorals, deltoids, and triceps. While on his or her back, the person performing the bench press lowers a weight to the level of the chest, then pushes it back up until the arm is straight... |
Wonderlic | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5' 11 3/4" | 184 | 4.28 | 1.48 | 2.49 | 3.79 | NA | 37 | 10'01 | NA | NA | |||||||||
| * represents NFL Combine NFL Combine The National Invitational Camp or NFL Scouting Combine, as it is more widely known, is a week-long showcase, occurring every February in Indianapolis, Indiana's Lucas Oil Stadium , where college football players perform physical and mental tests in front of National Football League coaches, general... **represents Georgia Pro Day—"X" Denotes "No Data" or "Did Not Participate" |
|||||||||||||||||||
Washington Redskins (1999 to 2003)
On July 24, 1999, Bailey signed a five-year, $12 million contract including a $2 million signing bonus. Bailey quickly established a reputation as one of the league's best defensive backs. He was a large presence on an inconsistent Redskins defense and benefited from time spent with Hall of FameHall of Fame
A hall of fame, wall of fame, walk of fame, walk of stars or avenue of stars is a type of attraction established for any field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field...
cornerback teammates Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders
Deion Luwynn Sanders , nicknamed "Prime Time" and "Neon Deion", is a former National Football League cornerback and Major League Baseball outfielder who currently works as an NFL Network analyst...
and Darrell Green
Darrell Green
Darrell Ray Green is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League who played for the Washington Redskins from 1983 to 2002. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest cornerbacks to ever play football...
. After the 2003 season, Bailey's contract with the Redskins expired and he threatened to boycott training camp if the club exercised the franchise tag
Franchise Tag
In the National Football League, the franchise tag is a designation a team may apply to a player scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. The tag binds the player to the team for one year if certain conditions are met. Each team has access each year to only one franchise tag and one...
. In a surprising move, the Redskins gave the four-time Pro Bowler permission to seek a trade.
Denver Broncos (2004 - present)
Prior to the 2004 season, Bailey was traded to the Broncos along with a second-round draft pick (who ended up being Tatum BellTatum Bell
Tatum Antoine Bell is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
) for Clinton Portis
Clinton Portis
Clinton Earl Portis is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
. Following the trade, he signed a seven-year contract worth $63 million.
On September 12, 2004, during the NFL's opening Sunday Night Football game of the season, Bailey intercepted his first pass as a Denver Bronco.
On January 14, 2006, in a divisional playoff game against the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
, Bailey broke the record for the longest non-scoring play in NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
history. With the Patriots near the goal line, Bailey intercepted a pass from quarterback Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
in the end zone and returned it 100 yards to the Pats' one yard line before he was chased down and tackled by New England's Benjamin Watson
Benjamin Watson
Benjamin Watson is an American football tight end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots 32nd overall in the 2004 NFL draft. He played college football at Georgia.-Early years:Watson attended Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, South...
, who also happens to be a former Georgia Bulldog.
In 2006
2006 NFL season
The 2006 NFL season was the 87th regular season of the National Football League.Regular season play was held from September 7 to December 31, 2006...
, Bailey had ten interceptions (tied for best in the NFL with Asante Samuel
Asante Samuel
Asante T. Samuel is an American football cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
). Bailey also did not give up a touchdown during the season. Bailey, San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
LaDainian Tomlinson
LaDainian Tomlinson
LaDainian Tramayne Tomlinson is an American football running back for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers fifth overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas Christian.Tomlinson, often referred to by his initials, L...
and Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
Jason Taylor were unanimous choices for the NFL All-Pro team in 2006. Also in 2006, Ron Jaworski
Ron Jaworski
Ronald Vincent "Ron" Jaworski is a former American football quarterback and currently an NFL analyst on ESPN. He is also CEO of Ron Jaworski Golf Management, Inc., based out of Blackwood, New Jersey, and manages golf courses in southern New Jersey, northeast Pennsylvania, and West Virginia...
stated during a MNF
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
pre-season game against the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
that Bailey only got tested 35 times and only four passes were completed over him, none for touchdowns.
In 2009, Champ Bailey did not allow one touchdown in 80 passes thrown his way that year, played in 98 percent of the snaps and remained one of the best-tackling cornerbacks in the game.
On September 15, 2009 Bailey was chosen in the Denver Broncos 50th Anniversary team by the Denver community. This team, including Bailey, was honored during the halftime-show of the Legacy game versus the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
on October 11.
In 2010, Champ Bailey matched up against some of the NFL's best wideouts. Bailey held Dwayne Bowe
Dwayne Bowe
-2007:On August 5, 2007, Bowe signed a five-year contract with the Chiefs, after holding out the first week of practice at training camp.Bowe scored his first NFL touchdown on a pass from Damon Huard in the first half of the Chiefs' game against the Chicago Bears on September 16, 2007.In his rookie...
to zero catches on 2 targets. The Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
only completed 3 passes on him for 19 yards in a game where he matched up with Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
. Champ Bailey was selected to play in his record breaking 10th Pro Bowl. No cornerback in NFL history has been to more.
It was announced on February 22, 2011 by the Denver Broncos vice president of football operations, John Elway
John Elway
John Albert Elway, Jr. is a former American football quarterback and currently is the executive vice president of football operations for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He played college football at Stanford and his entire professional career with the Denver Broncos...
that Champ Bailey was re-signed to a 4-year contract
Personal life
He currently resides in Denver but has a house in West Virginia. He is the older brother of linebackerLinebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Boss Bailey
Boss Bailey
Rodney "Boss" Bailey is a American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 1st round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
, who joined Champ on the Broncos for one season in 2008 after playing the first five years of his career on the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
. Champ, Boss, oldest brother Ronald, and cousin Kenny all played at Georgia.