Bailey To Sign Contract to Retire With Broncos
Former All-Pro cornerback Champ Bailey announced his intentions to retire in October. Now, he will make sure to go out with the franchise where he had his most success.
According tagh Bailey was released by the New Orleans Saints on August 30, he told reporters during his retirement announcement on October 28 that there were still in contact with his representatives about a possible comeback.
“There were teams that still wanted me to come in as of yesterday,” Bailey said. “I just felt it was time to move on. I’m done playing the game of cat-and-mouse and seeing who’s willing to do this or that. It’s not what I’m used to and it’s time to move on. There’s better things I can be doing.”
The Broncos released Bailey in March after 10 years with the franchise. He was acquired from Washington, which drafted him seventh overall in 1999, for running back Clinton Portis in a trade before the 2004 season.
In 15 NFL seasons, Bailey was a 12-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro and was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team during the 2000s.
His last game as a professional was Super Bowl 48, which Denver lost to Seattle. It was the first and only Super Bowl appearance for the future Hall of Famer.
The greatest compliment a cornerback can receive is not having the ball thrown in his direction. According to Troy Renck of The Denver Post, that’s something former Jacksonville head coach and current Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio made a point of telling his quarterback never to do:
