Future Hall of Fame cornerback Champ Bailey has decided to retire from the National Football League after 15 seasons. This decision comes on the heels of Bailey being released by the New Orleans Saints during the preseason.
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) October 28, 2014
Bailey, a 12-time Pro Bowler, was the seventh overall pick of the Washington Redskins back in the 1999 draft. After earning a trip to Hawaii in his final four seasons with Washington, Bailey was traded to the Denver Broncos for Clinton Portis prior to the 2004 season. He proceeded to earn All-Pro honors in his first three seasons with the Broncos.
Bailey ranks 26th on the all-time list with 52 career interceptions, he started a minimum of 13 games 12 different times and was considered one of the best pure cover corners in the modern history of the NFL.
At 36 years old and obviously not what he used to be, this is the best decision Bailey could have made. No one wants to see a player of his level play out the string as a shell of his former self.
He’s a first ballot Hall of Famer, and should be enshrined in Canton immediately after he becomes eligible.
Photo: Pro Football Talk