Former University of Georgia All-America defensive back Champ Bailey was elected Saturday to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He will be enshrined in Hall of Fame this summer in Canton, Ohio.
Bailey secured enshrinement in his first year on the ballot. Over the course of a 15-year career with the Washington Redskins and Denver Broncos Bailey was named to the Pro Bowl 12 times, the most ever for a cornerback, and was a first-team All-Pro in three consecutive seasons–his first three in Denver. Bailey was a member of the All-2000s team and recorded 52 career interceptions. Though Champ never won a ring, he has now secured the honor of a life-time.
At Georgia, Bailey earned a reputation as one of the best multiple threats in college football during his career. He was considered the most versatile player at UGA since the era of two-platoon football.
Bailey was a consensus All-American performer on offense, defense, and special teams. He played more than 1,000 plays during his junior season in 1998 including more than 100 plays in seven different games. He finished the season with 52 tackles, three interceptions, 744 receiving yards, five touchdowns, 261 kickoff returns and 49 punt return yards. The All-Southeastern Conference selection was named winner of the Bronko Nagurski Award as the nation’s top defensive player and was a consensus All-American selection.
Bailey was also a member of the UGA Track and Field team and set a school indoor long jump record at the 1998 SEC Championships.
Bailey was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 1999 NFL draft and was a 12-time Pro Bowl selection from 2000-2013 as a member of the Redskins and the Denver Broncos. He retired in 2014. He was named a member of the Football Writers Association of America 75th Anniversary All-America first team in 2015.
CAREER STATS
Defensive Stats
Year G/GS Solo Asst. Total Sacks TL CF RF Int. PBU
1996 11/2 35 12 47 0 1/1 0 1 2 7
1997 11/11 39 9 48 0 4/8 0 0 3 10
1998 11/11 30 22 52 0 4/7 0 1 3 10
Totals 33/24 104 43 147 0 9/16 0 2 8 27
Rushing/Receiving Totals
Year G/GS Att. Yards Avg. TD LG Rec. Yards Avg. TD LG
1997 11/11 5 15 3.0 0 11 12 234 19.5 0 47
1998 11/11 16 84 5.3 0 20 47 744 15.8 5 51
Totals 22/22 21 99 4.7 0 20 59 978 16.6 5 51
RETURN STATS
Kickoffs
Year No. Yds. Avg. TD LG.
1997 11 250 22.7 0 46
1998 12 261 21.8 0 41
Punts
Year No. Yds. Avg. TD LG.
1998 4 49 12.3 0 21