Former Redskins CB Bailey soon to be inducted into Pro Football HOF

When walking through the Pro Football Hall of Fame located in Canton, Ohio, one can only be amazed by the many attractions that this museum of football gods holds.

Truly an amazing place, each and every football fan must experience this visit at least once in a lifetime, as many childhood heroes come to life every step along the way.  A remarkably unique experience that catches most off guard is the Hall of Fame gallery.  This is the area where the busts of all the Hall of Famers are located, and where those heroes of ours live on forever.  One of the people who will get that experience in a few weeks to be a member of this sacred club  is none other than former Washington Redskins cornerback Champ Bailey.

The induction ceremony will officially be held on Saturday, August 3rd, 2019, on the grounds of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, followed by the annual Hall of Fame game the next day, between the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos.

It is not news that Champ Bailey will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  In fact, this was decided in early February 2019 when Bailey, along with Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, contributor Gil Brandt, TE Tony Gonzales, CB Ty Law, OL Kevin Mawae, S Ed Reed, and S Johnny Robinson, were announced as the Pro Football HOF class of 2019. However, it is important to note Bailey’s contribution to the Redskins early in his career, and his development along the way in his career with the Denver Broncos.

Bailey was able to learn from Redskins legend and current Hall of Famer Darrell Green from 1999 to 2002. Champ Bailey was drafted by the Washington Redskins in 1999 with the No. 7 overall pick, out of the University of Georgia.  This draft was probably more known for Tim Couch being drafted first overall and turning out to be a bust with the Cleveland Browns.  In this draft though, specifically in the top 10, were possible future hall of famers Torry Holt and Edgerrin James, along with Champ.

Champ Bailey’s accomplishments are almost too numerous to mention, but he was a 12-time Pro Bowler, three-time first team All-Pro, part of the NFL 2000’s all-decade team, and one of the many impactful and memorable players drafted by Charley Casserly, who served as an assistant general manager from 1982 to 1989, before becoming the Redskins primary general manager from 1989 to 1999.

Champ Bailey was only a part of the Washington Redskins for five seasons out of his illustrious 15-year career, but the time he did play on the team was memorable.  As stated on the Pro Football Hall of Fame website, Bailey “became the youngest player in NFL history to record three interceptions”  in a Sunday Night football game in the desert versus the Arizona Cardinals at the old Sun Devil Stadium on October 7th, 1999.  This is one of my many favorable memories of this Redskins generation, and one of the few times where I knew this team had a special player on its hands.

While Champ Bailey was later traded at the end of the 2003 season due to issues with his contract in 2004 for Clinton Portis and a second-round pick (Tatum Bell), the history he left with Redskins fans was memorable, even though brief.  As a young cornerback and part-time offensive player at the University of Georgia, Charley Casserly and the Redskins scouting staff knew Bailey was going to be special. Did they expect him to be inducted into the Hall of Fame?  Maybe not, but Redskins fans as a whole should say thank you to this legend for being an ultimate Redskin, and congratulations on your soon-to-be induction into this historic place.