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Champ Bailey, former Georgia football star, elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame

Champ Bailey, one of the best defensive backs of all-time both at Georgia and the NFL level, is now an NFL Hall of Famer.

This was Bailey’s first year on the ballot after a stellar 15-year career. His 12 Pro Bowl selections are the most ever by a cornerback.

Bailey went to Charlton County High School in Folkston, Ga., before starring for Georgia from 1996-98.

In addition to his fine work as a cornerback, Bailey also played wide receiver in college. In his junior season, he had 47 catches for 744 yards and five touchdowns while also wining the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as college football’s top defensive player.

The Washington Redskins selected Bailey with the No. 7 pick in the 1999 NFL Draft. Following the 2003 season, Bailey signed with the Denver Broncos, where he spent most of his NFL career.

Bailey was named First Team All-Pro in his first three seasons with Denver, and he led the NFL in interceptions in 2006.

Bailey was named a member of the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 2000s.

Bailey was one of two Bulldogs to make that All-Decade team, joining Richard Seymour of the New England Patriots and Oakland Raiders. Seymour was also a Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist for the 2019 class, but he did not get selected.

DawgNation spoke with Bailey last October about the possibility of being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“You have to imagine, everyone I talk to, that is their question. So it’s kind of hard to avoid the topic,” Bailey said. “It’s every part of my daily life these days. But I don’t dwell on it. I don’t let it get under my skin and make me nervous. I have nothing to do with the process at this point. My work has been done. It’s in the hands of others, and I just hope they make the right decision.”

Related: Champ Bailey on Georgia-Florida being in Jacksonville every year: ‘Why mess with a good thing?’

Bailey retired in October of 2014 after being released by the Broncos and Saints. In his NFL career, the former Bulldog finished with 52 interceptions. He is one of 40 players in NFL history to accomplish such a feat.

With Bailey now in the Hall of Fame, Georgia football has four members in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Bailey joins quarterback Fran Tarkenton, running back Terrell Davis and running back Charley Trippi.

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