NFL Hall of Famer Champ Bailey Gives Masterclass on Character, Lessons Learned Through Sports

Champ Bailey was a decorated player at every level. A two-way star at Georgia, Bailey was a first-round pick and played 15 years in the NFL. He was selected to the Pro Bowl 12 times, the most in NFL history by a defensive back, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019. But as good of a lock-down corner as Bailey was, it is his character that has opened so many doors after his playing days were over.

Developing character and the positive life lessons learned through sports were the common themes shared when Bailey joined Greg Olsen this week on the Youth Inc. flagship podcast.

Watch the full episode here and subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don’t miss any future episodes.

Bailey now spends his time working with young athletes and as an ambassador for Positive Athlete, an organization that recognizes high school student-athletes and coaches who have overcome difficult circumstances and have given back to their schools and communities in a significant way. 

Key Takeaways

Sports Teaches You Lasting Life Lessons

“When you get on the other side of sports, one of the things you realize is the things that sports taught you is what really matters,” said Bailey. “All the character traits you develop, I learned through sports.

“Sports is not your identity. It helps shape your character, but ultimately all those things are intrinsic ... it just needs to be tapped into more."

Character Matters … A lot

“When I look back and I think about all the opportunities that come [to me] now, it really has nothing to do with what I did on the field,” said Bailey. “It’s more about the way I made people feel when they were around me, the fact that they didn’t hear a lot of negative things about me throughout my career. It always came back to my character, not the game itself.”

There’s No Better Way to Measure Yourself Than Through Sports

“There’s no better judge than your peers and no better inspiration than the people doing the same things you are doing,” said Bailey. “I think those environments are underrated. If everything was run and was as highly scrutinized as a locker room or a football team, nothing would fall through the cracks.”

It Helps to Have Role Models

“My brother Ron is three years older than me,” said Bailey. “The fact that he got a full scholarship to Georgia – he started as a sophomore – I could see that you could do it in my house. Those inspirational stories made me believe that I could do it.

“Anytime that someone looks like you or comes from where you’re from … when they do extraordinary things it gives you the hope that you can do it. That’s all I needed.”