Former Bronco and 12-time Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey is retiring. (Joe Amon, The Denver Post)
On Tuesday, Champ Bailey’s agent Jack Reale announced that the 12-time Pro Bowl cornerback to pursue “other opportunities.”
Bailey, 36, who played 15 seasons in the NFL and spent 10 of them with the Broncos, and is widely regarded as one of the best cornerbacks to play the game. , he recorded 52 interceptions and 699 total tackles. But his play had waned in recent years, and a foot injury kept him off the field for a couple games in the preseason before he was released by the Saints in August.
After news broke of Bailey’s retirement, many current and former players, as well as others associated with the NFL, weighed in on his legacy.
PHOTOS: Looking back at Champ Bailey’s NFL career
Congrats to Champ Bailey on a great 15 year career. Next stop
— Donte’ Stallworth (@DonteStallworth)
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One of the hardest things for a professional athlete to do is to move on from the game you love and played since childhood.
— Donte’ Stallworth (@DonteStallworth)
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Champ is one of the all time greats and one of the most impressive athletes I’ve been privileged to play with and a true pros/pro.
— Chris Kuper (@chriskuper73)
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Salute to and all his years of locking down receivers! Honored to have had an opportunity to be around a true veteran!
— Nathan Napalm Palmer (@RealNaPalm)
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Blessed and honored to have played with Champ Bailey for 2 years. Arguably the G.O.A.T! Salute to the OG! #24
— Omar C. Bolden (@Os_Island)
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Salute to Champ!
— Kayvon Webster (@kayvonwebster)
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Congrats to the idol Champ Bailey. Next stop Canton Ohio. Great career & great professional
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era)
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Sorry to see Champ Bailey go out like he did, but happens to everyone. An all-time great. His 2006 season was about perfect for a CB
— Frank Schwab (@YahooSchwab)
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Had Champ Bailey No. 4 on 1998 Big Board. Get this: played 95%(!!) of plays at UGA, offense/defense combined. 47 catches + stud CB. Stud.
— Mel Kiper Jr. (@MelKiperESPN)
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It has yet to be decided if Champ Bailey will sign a one-day contract to retire as a Bronco. John Elway needs to make that happen.
— Lindsay Jones (@bylindsayhjones)
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