Champ Bailey facts for kids
Bailey with the Denver Broncos in 2010
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| No. 24 | |||||||||||||||||
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| Position: | Cornerback | ||||||||||||||||
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| Born: | June 22, 1978 Fort Campbell, Kentucky, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 192 lb (87 kg) | ||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||
| High school: | Charlton County (Folkston, Georgia) |
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| College: | Georgia (1996–1998) | ||||||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1999 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7 | ||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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College Football Hall of Fame
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Roland "Champ" Bailey Jr. (born June 22, 1978) is a famous American former football player. He played as a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). Many people think he is one of the best cornerbacks ever.
Champ Bailey played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs. He was chosen by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 1999 NFL draft. In 2004, he joined the Denver Broncos and played there for ten seasons. He was picked for the Pro Bowl 12 times, which is a record for a cornerback! He also holds the NFL record for the most passes defended, with 203. In 2019, he was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his very first year of being eligible.
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Early Life and High School Sports
Champ Bailey was born in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He grew up in Folkston, Georgia. In high school, he was an amazing athlete. He played three different sports: football, basketball, and track.
Champ had two brothers, Ronald and Boss Bailey. They also played football at Charlton County High School and the University of Georgia. Ronald later signed with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. Boss played as a linebacker for the Detroit Lions and later joined Champ on the Denver Broncos.
At Charlton County High School, Champ was a star. He ran for 3,573 yards and scored 58 touchdowns. He also threw for 1,211 yards as a quarterback. On defense, he caught eight interceptions. He even returned kickoffs and punts! He still holds many school records, like the most rushing yards in a season.
College Career at Georgia
Champ Bailey earned a scholarship to play football at the University of Georgia. He played for the Georgia Bulldogs football team from 1996 to 1998. He was known for being great at offense, defense, and special teams.
In his last year at Georgia, he made 52 tackles and caught three interceptions. He also caught 47 passes for 744 yards and five touchdowns. He even ran the ball sometimes! He was named an All-American and won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. This award goes to the best defensive player in college football.
In one game, the Peach Bowl, he did a little bit of everything. He caught passes, ran the ball, and returned kicks. In his three years at Georgia, he played 33 games. He had 147 tackles and eight interceptions.
Track and Field Star
Champ Bailey was also a fantastic track and field athlete at Georgia. He ran short races like the 55 and 60 meters. He was also good at long jump and triple jump. In 1998, he set a school record for the indoor long jump.
NFL Career Highlights
Starting with the Redskins
The Washington Redskins picked Champ Bailey as the seventh player in the 1999 NFL draft. He was the first player from his hometown of Folkston, Georgia, to be drafted into the NFL.
In July 1999, Champ signed a big contract with the Redskins. He quickly became known as one of the best defensive players in the league. He learned a lot from his teammates, like Hall of Fame cornerbacks Deion Sanders and Darrell Green. After the 2003 season, his contract ended. The Redskins then allowed him to look for a trade.
Becoming a Bronco Legend
Before the 2004 season, Champ Bailey was traded to the Denver Broncos. This was a big move! He quickly made an impact. In his first game as a Bronco, he caught an interception.
In a playoff game in 2006, he made an amazing play. He intercepted a pass from quarterback Tom Brady in the end zone. He then ran the ball 100 yards down the field! This was the longest non-scoring play in NFL history at the time.
In 2006, Champ had 10 interceptions, which tied for the most in the NFL. He didn't let any touchdowns be scored against him that season. He was chosen for the NFL All-Pro team. He finished second in voting for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.
In 2009, Champ was chosen for the Broncos' 50th Anniversary team. He was still one of the best cornerbacks in the league. In 2010, he played against some of the NFL's top wide receivers and stopped them. He was picked for his 10th Pro Bowl, which was a record for a cornerback.
The Broncos re-signed Champ to a new contract in 2011. He continued to be one of the top players in the NFL. In 2012, he was named an All-Pro for the eighth time. He was also selected for his 12th Pro Bowl. This extended his record for most Pro Bowl trips by a cornerback. On December 6, 2012, he caught the 52nd and final interception of his career.
Champ played in his first Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014. The Broncos lost to the Seattle Seahawks. After the season, the Broncos released him.
Joining the Saints and Retirement
On April 4, 2014, Champ Bailey signed a contract with the New Orleans Saints. However, he was released before the regular season started.
Champ Bailey announced his retirement from professional football on October 18, 2014. A month later, he signed a special one-day contract with the Denver Broncos. This allowed him to officially retire as a Bronco.
Pro Football Hall of Fame
On February 2, 2019, Champ Bailey was chosen for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This was his first year of being eligible! He was officially honored on August 3, 2019. This is a huge achievement for any football player.
Amazing Records and Achievements
Champ Bailey holds some incredible NFL records:
- Most Pro Bowl selections for a defensive back (12 times).
- Most passes defended (203).
- Longest interception return in a postseason game without scoring (100 yards).
- Youngest player to intercept 3 passes in a game (at age 21).
He also holds a Pro Bowl record:
- Most career interceptions in the Pro Bowl (4).
Personal Life
Champ Bailey married his wife, Jessica, in 2014. In 2019, he was also inducted into the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame.
