Yesterday was a day of celebration. There was no looking back. Champ Bailey was ready to move on from the game and start a new chapter of his life, which is raising his three young children.
He gave everything he had. His body told him it was time after taking so much beating all these years. 15 years is a long time.
Bailey accomplished so much in this league to wonder what could have been. He has such a great resume that should put him in the Hall of Fame. He played in playoff games, and he made couple of AFC Championship Game appearances. He made the Pro Bowl 12 times. He even played in the Super Bowl. Many players would love to trade places with him.
Like any NFL player, Bailey wanted to win a Super Bowl championship after putting in so many years at his job. It was not meant to be. He tried to make the Saints team after the Broncos released him, but he didn’t do much in training camp and he was released. That was a telltale sign to him that it was time to retire.
Bailey has not been the player he was in recent years. He lost a step. He was being beaten often by speedy receivers. He looked beaten down often. That’s what happens to players when they hit their late 30s. There’s no shame in it.
If anything, he should be commended for keeping on going and trying to make the most of what he had. He gave it his all. He made some plays when he had to.
He played late in his 30s because he liked playing football, mentoring young players and wanting to win that elusive championship.
If anyone expects Bailey to have regrets of not winning a championship, think again. He is not going to fret out about it. He knows it’s hard to win one. He knows there’s so much good fortune that comes to winning a championship. In other words, players have to get some luck in winning a championship. Not many people can be like Tom Brady. If it was easy, the former Bronco would have won one long time ago.
Bailey has a good perspective about the game. He knows it’s more than winning a championship. It’s about mentoring young players as good players and good people. It’s about having fun playing football. It’s about doing all the work that made him a good player. It’s about loving the game of football and giving back.
Bailey did all those things. That’s why he was a fan favorite in Broncos Country. That’s why he was beloved by his coaches and teammates with the Broncos.
In a way, he gets it.
To play 10 seasons for the Broncos is impressive. To play for 15 seasons is unheard of these days. That player has to have a strong body, not to mention being so good to play that long. That was Bailey. That is priceless. Most NFL players wish they can do that.
Maybe that perspective had Bailey realize he had it very good in his career. He never seemed to have concussion problems, so he should be able to live a good post-football life.
Bailey understood he could not fight Father Time. No one could beat that, and no one will. He certainly gave it a good fight, though.
It’s hard to believe he will walk away from the game for good. There will be opportunities for him to work in the league. It wouldn’t be surprising if he is a defensive coach for the Broncos when the time comes. He has been so good with young players such as Moore, Carter and Harris. He taught them how to play the game, and they have paid off. He certainly liked mentoring them, and there’s no question he would love to be a teacher by role of a coach.
He could do TV work if he wants to, but odds are he will be a coach when he is back at the game.
Maybe he can win a championship as a coach. That would be rewarding since it takes work when it comes to developing young players to be good. It’s something that will come to his mind one day.
Right now, Bailey is going to enjoy life. He should after putting all the work in as a player for a long time now.
His kids are young, so now is the right time for him to nurture them while they are ripe.
Bailey will be back to accomplish what he wants to do, which is winning a championship. We haven’t seen the last of him at all. He is taking a break for now.
That’s why he has no regrets.
He will find a way to get a championship again.
Contact or Follow Leslie Monteiro: @LightRodWriter
Leslie Monteiro
Leslie is a contributor for Lightning Rod Sports. He covered high school sports in Bergen County out in North Jersey, and has written op-ed columns on sports such as Bleacher Report and NY Sports Digest.
