Champ Officially Retires

[Spiritguy]

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter (https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter) · 24m24 minutes ago (https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/527154604384194560)

Despite interest from teams, Champ Bailey has decided to retire from NFL to pursue other career opportunities, agent Jack Reale said Tues.
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter (https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter) · 25m25 minutes ago (https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/527155180216016897)

Now the clock starts running till the time Champ Bailey, a 12-time Pro Bowl selection, is inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame.

[Edmonton Bronco Fan]

Thanks for all the fantastic memories as a Bronco, Champ. One of the GOAT. Saluting a great career, looking forward to seeing your induction to the HOF in Canton.

[chazoe60]

He'll always be a Bronco to me.

[Northman]

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_26815279/champ-bailey-former-broncos-cornerback-retire-from-nfl


Former Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey is retiring from the NFL to pursue other career opportunities, said his agent, Jack Reale, on Tuesday.


Bailey played 10 seasons with the Broncos. He played 15 overall seasons in the NFL, including his first five with the Washington Redskins.


Bailey retires as a 12-time Pro Bowler and a three-time, first-team all-Pro.


He was traded by Washington to Denver along with a 2004 second-round pick for running back Clinton Portis on March 4, 2004.

[Buff]

I really don't believe there was interest from other teams beyond maybe bringing him in for a midweek workout to kick his tires.

The writing was kind of on the wall when the dumpster fire of a New Orleans defense cut him. Still love the guy though. His playoff INT against NE is still one of my favorite Broncos moments.

[PatriotsGuy]

I really don't believe there was interest from other teams beyond maybe bringing him in for a midweek workout to kick his tires.

The writing was kind of on the wall when the dumpster fire of a New Orleans defense cut him. Still love the guy though. His playoff INT against NE is still one of my favorite Broncos moments.

How old were you then?

[BroncoWave]

I really don't believe there was interest from other teams beyond maybe bringing him in for a midweek workout to kick his tires.

The writing was kind of on the wall when the dumpster fire of a New Orleans defense cut him. Still love the guy though. His playoff INT against NE is still one of my favorite Broncos moments.

Agreed. Definitely don't think this was a case of a guy retiring on his own terms. Sucks to see him go out that way. Reminds me of Jerry Rice.

[Buff]

How old were you then?

20.

[Northman]

I heard yesterday the Ravens were considering bringing him in as they had lost Jimmy Smith due to injury on Sunday. But outside that i dont know how much interest there was for him.

[Shazam!]

Thanks for the memories Champ and good luck in all you do.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Despite interest from "a couple of teams," former NFL standout cornerback Champ Bailey has decided to retire from the NFL to pursue other career opportunities, his agent Jack Reale said Tuesday.

"At this time, Champ has decided not to accept on-field opportunities and pursue another career path," Reale said. "He could be playing right now if he wanted to be."

Instead, the clock will start running until the time of his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

rest - http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11779344/champ-bailey-12-pro-bowl-cornerback-decides-retire

[Slick]

How did Spiritguy and Northman outscoop Carol on this story?

Should I be worried Carol?

[MileHighCrew]

:salute: To one of the greatest Broncos of all time.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Best wishes to one of my all time favorite Broncos. Would love to see Champ back with the Broncos, standing on the sidelines as a coach.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

How did Spiritguy and Northman outscoop Carol on this story?

Should I be worried Carol?

I do leave the house every once in a while - :D

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Denver Broncos @Broncos · 30m

Congratulations to 12-time Pro Bowler Champ Bailey on an outstanding career.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

http://photos.denverpost.com/2014/10/28/photos-champ-bailey-former-broncos-cornerback-to-retire-from-nfl/#1

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter · 2h

Champ Bailey's agent, Jack Reale, said two playoff contenders were interested in his client. Bailey more interested in his next career.

[Buff]

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter · 2h

Champ Bailey's agent, Jack Reale, said two playoff contenders were interested in his client. Bailey more interested in his next career.

I wonder why his agent is so adamant about trying to publicize this point. Like, you're Champ Bailey, a 12-time Pro Bowler, go out with your head held high... It just seems very beneath him, and frankly dishonest, to be out there suggesting that he could get work if he wanted it. What is he hoping to gain?

[BroncoWave]

Yeah, champ wouldn't have been working out with all these teams had he not been interested in finding work. Dude just didn't have it anymore. Not sure why his agent is trying to put this narrative out there.

[GEM]

Thanks for all the memories, Champ!

[aberdien]

Class personified. To me, he was basically the ultimate Broncos player post-Elway. I hope the door is open for him to join our staff, and I hope he is signed for one of them one day contract things. He deserves.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

I wonder why his agent is so adamant about trying to publicize this point. Like, you're Champ Bailey, a 12-time Pro Bowler, go out with your head held high... It just seems very beneath him, and frankly dishonest, to be out there suggesting that he could get work if he wanted it. What is he hoping to gain?

There could have been a situation where a couple of teams had injuries a game or two back, or even during a practice.

[Slick]

I wonder why his agent is so adamant about trying to publicize this point. Like, you're Champ Bailey, a 12-time Pro Bowler, go out with your head held high... It just seems very beneath him, and frankly dishonest, to be out there suggesting that he could get work if he wanted it. What is he hoping to gain?

I think he is still stinging and probably a little embarrased that he got cut by the Saints. It seems like they're trying to spin it like Champ went out on his own terms.

[HORSEPOWER 56]

I'd love to see the Broncos sign him to a 1 day contract so he could retire a Bronco! Champ was one of my all time favorites.

[Northman]

I'd love to see the Broncos sign him to a 1 day contract so he could retire a Bronco! Champ was one of my all time favorites.

Im sure they will. Elway knows how it went down with Atwater so i actually expect us to do that.

[tripp]

What sticks out more in my mind than the NE Playoff pick, was the one he had against the Cowboys against Bledsoe on Thanksgiving. I don't know why, but it did. Can't believe I was pissed that we traded Clinton Portis for him..

[DenBronx]

Sign him as a backup late in the season to get this man a ring in a Broncos uni.

One more year! One more year! One more year!!!

[CrazyHorse]

I'd like to see him come back to the Broncos as a DB coach.

[VonDoom]

Thanks for everything, Champ! One of the best Broncos (at any position) of all time.

I had forgotten just how filthy his 2006 season was, but Mase puts it in perspective:



Andrew Mason ‏@MaseDenver

Champ had the best season I've ever seen from a cornerback: 2006. Thrown at 35 times. Intercepted 10. Allowed four receptions. Greatness.

[BroncoWave]

Thanks for everything, Champ! One of the best Broncos (at any position) of all time.

I had forgotten just how filthy his 2006 season was, but Mase puts it in perspective:

That's just stupid good. Those kind of numbers don't even seem possible.

[VonDoom]

MHR is reporting that the Broncos will hold a retirement press conference for Champ on Tuesday, 11/18. Champ also released a statement:

http://www.milehighreport.com/2014/10/28/7086919/champ-baileys-statement-on-his-retirement

[capt. Jack]

Will he go into the hall a Bronco? Or a Washington football team guy?

[Denver Native (Carol)]

STATEMENT FROM CHAMP BAILEY:

“Every professional athlete knows and understands that at some point his career will end and it will be time to move on to another phase in life. For me, that time is now.

“I have been truly blessed. I have been able to play this NFL game I love for 15 seasons and yet, it seems like only yesterday that my dreams came true when I received the call from Charley Casserly letting me know the Redskins had made me their first pick in the 1999 draft. I thank them for that.

“Then in 2004, Mr. Bowlen, Mike Shanahan and Ted Sundquist gave me the opportunity to come to Denver and be a Bronco. I had the privilege of playing in front of the best fans in the NFL.

rest of Champ's statement, plus statements from Joe Ellis, John Elway, John Fox, Peyton Manning, Mike Shanahan, Brian Dawkins, John Lynch, and Rod Smith

http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Statements-from-Bailey-Bronco-members/20542e45-03ec-4574-828e-26b92f96b443

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Champ Bailey can retire without regret. For 15 seasons -- including 10 in Denver -- he played cornerback on a level rarely seen.

Lockdown cornerbacks are on an island, as the cliché goes. But the experience is different for each. It depends on the foes he faces, the team that surrounds him and the adversity he must face.

For 15 seasons, Champ Bailey was an island of excellence in the storm of frustration, tumult, change -- and finally, redemption.

He played for 11 different defensive coordinators -- including one, Mike Nolan, on two non-consecutive occasions. Year after year, Bailey had to learn new calls, new scheme points of emphasis, new teammates.

And year after year, Bailey was the best player on the defense. And not just the Broncos' defense, for in the mid-2000's, he was the best defensive player in the NFL, period, even though he didn't win the hardware to back it up.

rest - http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Champ-Bailey-No-one-did-it-better/53bba488-f15d-450d-8809-f5e1634fd49a

[Denver Native (Carol)]

The Broncos are grateful for the time Champ Bailey was in Denver and thank him for everything he's done for this team and community.

video - http://www.denverbroncos.com/multimedia/videos/A-Tribute-to-Champ-Bailey/fb5b622d-ed4c-4805-b180-a53528007195

[Krugan]

The day had to come, still sad, what a great Bronco!

Wish him all the luck out here in the real wold :)

[HORSEPOWER 56]

If only we could've had the supporting defensive cast we have now when Champ was in his prime. Can you imagine 2006 Champ on this roster? Ridiculous.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Social media reaction to Champ Bailey's retirement

http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Social-media-reaction-to-Champ-Baileys-retirement/68e7c1af-1ebd-49f7-93cd-672120f1ead7

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Billy Thompson on Champ Bailey's career

Ring of Fame safety Billy Thompson talks about Champ Bailey.

http://www.denverbroncos.com/multimedia/videos/Billy-Thompson-on-Champ-Baileys-career/7b81ed02-f682-459c-a218-c0775f9994e1

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Vic Lombardi retweeted
Patrick Smyth @psmyth12 · 2h

Broncos will hold a retirement press conference for 12-time Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey on Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Vic Lombardi @VicLombardi · 4h

In case you're wondering, yes, the Broncos plan on honoring Champ Bailey here in the very near future.

[aberdien]

Hopefully the hold off on the official press conference means that Elway and co are working on finding some way to keep Champ active in the organization.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Elway on Bailey, 'He did it all'

John Elway talks about Champ Bailey deciding to retire and why the cornerback will be a first ballot Hall-of-Famer.

http://www.denverbroncos.com/multimedia/videos/Elway-on-Bailey-He-did-it-all/4758e717-33f0-49e7-88ec-8cea3a2d5ede

[Northman]

Cant believe he is retiring, seems like just yesterday we traded for him. How time flies...