The Monday Mommy: A Dawg Finally has his Day.
“Bailey has been a prominent figure on the Broncos and the heart and soul of the defense for almost a decade. Yet, he has never been to the big dance. “
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It is certainly no secret that I am a huge University of Georgia homer. I spent four glorious years in Athens, Georgia and will always support any UGA athlete that makes it to the professional level.
In fact, I feel like I was the lone Knowshon Moreno supporter through the lean “bust” years and did a decent job moving over and making room for everyone else this season on the Moreno wagon.
The other Denver Bronco that hails from my alma mater is one Champ Bailey: Perennial Pro Bowler, amazing corner back and all around good guy. You would be hard pressed to find football fans, media members or other NFL athletes that do not carry a large amount of respect for Bailey’s talent, attitude and work ethic.
Bailey has been a prominent figure on the Broncos and the heart and soul of the defense for almost a decade. Yet, he has never been to the big dance.
Thanks to Denver’s tremendous effort against the Patriots in the AFC Championship game, Bailey will now get to live out every little boy’s dream of playing in a Super Bowl.
This year was not a great one for Bailey, as he suffered a foot injury in the preseason that lingered, keeping him out of 11 games in 2013. When he did return at the end of the regular season, Bailey looked like shell of his former self on the field, struggling a bit; causing people to think his career may be over.
When fellow corner Chris Harris sustained an injury in the divisional playoff game versus the San Diego Chargers, it was apparent that Champ was going to have to step up big time. There were swirls of doubt surrounding whether he could still cover the outside and if he had lost a step or two.
In typical Champ Bailey fashion, he made the plays needed to shut down Danny Amendola and contributed greatly to the Bronco AFC Championship win. He had a solid game, making his presence known in the secondary.
Bailey is one of the good guys.
A generation of Denver football fans has grown up watching Bailey sport the number 24 for the orange and blue. He has quietly been there for the good times and bad and has always done it with a great amount of class and humility.
Heading into this Super Bowl, there is certainly no shortage of story lines. It is only Monday, and several have already emerged. The fact that Champ Bailey gets to play in his very first Super Bowl with the distinct possibility of hoisting up the elusive Vince Lombardi trophy may get swept under the rug in the national media.
But not here in Denver.
We couldn’t be prouder of Bailey and all that he has done for the Broncos franchise since coming over in a trade with Washington for Clinton Portis in 2004. It is still unclear whether Champ Bailey will be suiting up for the Broncos next season or if he will decide to call it a career.
We can hold off on that narrative for now though, it’s all about the Super Bowl. After 15 seasons in the league, Champ Bailey will get to soak it all in and play on the world’s greatest stage.
And we couldn’t be prouder or more excited for him.
