Champ Bailey life and biography

Roland “Champ” Bailey was born on June 22, 1978, in Fort Campbell, Georgia, and was raised in Folkston, Ga. Champ 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. At age 32, he is still considered among the best cornerbacks in the NFL.

• A 12th-year cornerback and seventh-year Bronco whose nine career Pro Bowl selections tie for the most by a player at that position in NFL history with that total including a league-record (CBs) eight consecutive allstar selections from 2000-07.
• Named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s as chosen by the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee.
• Earned Associated Press All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors during each of his first four seasons in Denver from 2004-07 after spending five years with Washington to begin his NFL career.
• Leads all NFL cornerbacks (T-2nd in entire NFL) with 46 interceptions since his rookie year in 1999 while placing fifth in the league with 28 interceptions since joining the Broncos in 2004.
• Began his NFL career starting 99 consecutive regular-season games and has totaled the second- most starts (166) among league cornerbacks since his rookie year in 1999.
• Penalized for pass interference only once during the last four years in the 291 times he was targeted (0.34%) according to Stats Inc.
• Recorded 18 interceptions with Denver from 2005-06, marking the most by an NFL player in a two-year stretch since Everson Walls had 18 interceptions for Dallas from 1981-82.
• Tied for the NFL lead in 2006 with a career-best 10 interceptions, which marked the second-highest single-season total in Denver history and propelled him to a second-place finish in the Associated Press’ NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting.
• Turned in one of the most dramatic plays in NFL postseason annals when he returned an interception 100 yards in an AFC Divisional Playoff Game against New England (1/14/06), marking the longest non-scoring interception return in league playoff history.
• Became the youngest player in NFL history to post three interceptions in a game as a rookie with the Redskins (at Arizona, 10/17/99).
• Won the 1998 Bronko Nagurski Award at the University of Georgia as the nation’s top defensive player while also earning consensus All-America honors that year.
• Joined the Broncos on March 4, 2004, in a trade with Washington that brought Bailey and a second-round draft choice (RB Tatum Bell) to Denver in exchange for running back Clinton Portis.
• Selected by Washington in the first round (7th overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS: Signed by Washington as a draft choice 7/29/99; Traded to Denver 3/4/04; Signed by Denver 3/22/04.

QUICKLY: Bailey is currently seventh all time (Dennis Smith is sixth with 30) among Broncos players with 29 interceptions... His 47 career interceptions are second in the NFL since his rookie season in 1999... Has been named to nine Pro Bowls and has been named First-Team All-Pro three times and second-team All-Pro once... Member of the NFL All-Decade team... He is in his 12th NFL season and seventh with the Broncos... Bailey returns to his role as a team captain in 2010.

2010: In the preseason opener at Cincinnati (8/15), Bailey made two solo stops, including a tackle for a loss on a catch by WR Greg Jones for a 1-yard loss. He intercepted a pass from QB Matt Hasselbeck intended for WR Deion Branch at the Broncos' 4-yard line to stop Seattle's initial possession of the team's home opener versus Seattle (9/19). Bailey also broke up Hasselbeck's fourth-down pass intended for WR Deion Branch in the third quarter to force the turnover on downs... Held WR Reggie Wayne to 65 receiving yards versus the Colts (9/26) after Wayne entered the game averaging 97.5 yards-per-game in 2010... Tackled WR Nate Washington 1-yard short of the first-down marker on a third-and-8 attempt on the game's opening drive at Tennessee (10/3) to force a three-and-out.

2009: Bailey, who was voted a team captain by his teammates and selected to his ninth Pro Bowl at cornerback (tied for most in NFL history), started all 16 games and finished fourth on the Broncos with 72 tackles (62 solo) while adding three interceptions (18 yds.), 15 pass breakups and one forced fumble... Earned his second consecutive Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nomination by his team... Was the most targeted (98) defensive player in the league to not allow a touchdown... Moved into seventh in Broncos history with 28 interceptions... Helped Denver’s pass defense rank third in the NFL, allowing only 186.3 passing yards per game... Named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after posting eight tackles, one interception and four pass breakups vs. Dal. (10/4).

2008: Bailey had 56 tackles (45 solo), one interception (0 yds.), four pass breakups, a team-high three forced fumbles and one sack (5 yds.) in nine games (9 starts) for Denver... Nominated as the Broncos’ Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year... Injured his groin in the first half on Monday Night Football at N.E. (10/20) and was inactive for seven consecutive games before playing in the final two... Started alongside his brother, linebacker Boss Bailey, vs. S.D. (9/14) for the first time since his final season at Georgia in 1998... Added his second career sack—first since his rookie season in 1999—vs. Buf. (12/21).

2007: Bailey earned his eighth consecutive Pro Bowl selection along with second-team Associated Press All-Pro honors with Denver, starting all 15 games played and tying for third on the club (first among defensive backs) with 81 tackles (68 solo)... Added three interceptions (3 yds.) and 14 pass breakups in addition to five special-teams stops... Called for just one penalty (5 yds.) on the season.

2006: Bailey started all 16 games for Denver and posted career bests in tackles (98), interceptions (10) and pass breakups (30)... Earned consensus first-team Associated Press All-Pro honors for the third consecutive season and was chosen to play in the Pro Bowl for the seventh year in a row... Placed second in the AP’s NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting... Led the NFL with 11 takeaways... His 10 interceptions marked the second-best single-season total in club annals and tied for the NFL lead... Earned the AFC’s Defensive Player of the Month award for the second time in his career when he was recognized for his play in October when he posted three interceptions, 20 tackles (13 solo) and nine pass breakups that month.

2005: Bailey played 14 games (14 starts) and finished fourth on the Broncos with 72 tackles (62 solo) while leading the team with a career-high eight interceptions (139 yds.) and 28 pass breakups... Earned first-team Associated Press All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors, helping Denver win the AFC West and advance to the AFC Championship Game... Tied for fourth in the league with eight interceptions... Returned two of his interceptions for touchdowns to become the sixth player in team annals to return two interceptions for scores in a single season... Had at least one interception in a team-record five consecutive games midway through the year and forced two fumbles on the season... Totaled one interception in each of the Broncos’ three November contests to earn AFC Defensive Player of the Month honors... In an AFC Divisional Playoff Game vs. N.E. (1/14), the Patriots were driving for a potential go-ahead score in the third quarter when Bailey intercepted Tom Brady’s pass in the end zone and returned it 100 yards to the New England 1-yard line to set up a Denver touchdown... The play marked the longest return in team annals as well as the longest non-scoring and second-longest interception return in NFL postseason history... Hamstring injury forced him to miss the first two games of his NFL career (Games 4-5).

2004: Bailey started all 16 regular-season games with the Broncos after being acquired from Washington in a blockbuster offseason trade... Earned his fifth consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl and first Associated Press All-Pro nomination after a stellar campaign... Ranked fourth on the team and led all Denver cornerbacks in tackles with 84 (74 solo)... Tallied a team-high three interceptions (0 yds.) along with 13 pass breakups while appearing on offense in three games (one catch for 11 yds. vs. K.C. 9/12).

2003: Bailey earned his fourth consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl during his final season with Washington, starting all 16 games and finishing with 72 tackles (61 solo), two interceptions (2 yds.), two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble... Posted 17 pass breakups.

2002: Bailey registered 84 tackles (67 solo) and added three interceptions (2 yds.) as a 16-game starter for the Redskins... Earned his third consecutive Pro Bowl berth... Credited with 28 pass breakups on the year... Saw his first action on offense since 2000 vs. Phi. (9/16).

2001: Bailey started all 16 games at cornerback for Washington and received Pro Bowl honors for the second time in his career... Finished fifth on the Redskins in tackles (51) and tied for second in interceptions (3)... Credited with a team-high 18 pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

2000: Bailey was voted a starting cornerback on the NFC Pro Bowl team and helped anchor the NFL’s second-ranked pass defense, totaling team highs in interceptions (5-48 yds.) and pass breakups (14)... Totaled 66 tackles (52 solo) while starting all 16 games for Washington... Was used on offense, catching three passes for 78 yards (26.0 avg.), including a long of 42, and rushing for one touchdown... Named The Quarterback Club Redskins Player of the Year... Started at cornerback and wide receiver vs. Bal. (10/15).

1999: Selected by Washington in the first round (7th overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft, Bailey started all 16 games at cornerback and finished second on the Redskins in interceptions (5-55 yds.) while posting 83 tackles (64 solo), 19 pass breakups and one sack (12 yds.)... Made 54 blocks and 14 tackles (10 solo) on special teams... Honored by the NFL as its October Defensive Rookie of the Month... Picked off a Troy Aikman pass for his first career interception vs. Dal. (9/12)... Was named NFC Defensive player of the Week after intercepting three passes at Ari. (10/17) to become the youngest player in NFL history to perform such a feat.

COLLEGE: Bailey was regarded as one of college football’s greatest multiple threats (offense, defense and special teams) in 33 career games (24 starts) at the University of Georgia... Averaged 103.5 all-purpose yards per game and logged 957 plays (547 defense, 301 offense and 109 special teams) on his way to earning consensus All-America and first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors and claiming the Bronko Nagurski Award as the nation’s top defensive player during his junior season... Had 52 tackles (four for losses), three interceptions, seven pass breakups, 47 receptions for 744 yards (15.8 avg.), five touchdowns, 16 carries for 84 yards, 12 kickoff returns for 261 yards and four punt returns for 49 yards as a junior.

PERSONAL: Bailey attended Charlton County High School in Folkston, Ga., where he was a Class-A all-state selection in football while earning USA Today honorable mention All-America honors and second-team all-south accolades... Voted MVP in each of his final three seasons... Rushed for 1,858 yards with 28 touchdowns, threw for 277 yards, averaged 33.3 yards on punts and totaled 37 tackles along with two interceptions as a senior... Rushed for 3,573 yards with 58 touchdowns, passed for 1,211 yards with 10 scores, gained 5,855 total yards and scored 394 points during his prep career... Also posted 80 tackles, eight interceptions and four fumble recoveries... Was an honorable mention all-state selection in basketball and the state high jump champion as a junior... Set a school indoor long jump record of 25-10 3/4 feet to finish third at the SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships as a junior at Georgia in 1998... Younger brother, Boss, was an All-SEC linebacker at Georgia and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft... Boss signed with Denver as an unrestricted free agent in 2008... Although his given first name is Roland, Bailey was nicknamed “Champ” by his mother... First back-to-back winner of the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame’s Pro Athlete of the Year award (2005-06) and became one of four athletes in the state’s history who have won the award multiple times... Named the Denver Athletic Club’s Athlete of the Year for 2010...

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