VIDEO: Champ Bailey Discussed Race in Powerful Hall of Fame Speech
By Michael Luciano
Rather than go for the corny, joke-filled Hall of Fame speech, legendary cornerback Champ Bailey used this platform as a pulpit to preach his message of racial equality. The central point of the Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins immortal's speech last night was the challenges that African-Americans face in this country that white people simply do not have to deal with. No matter what your ethnicity is, it's hard to not get choked up at Bailey's emotional speech.
Champ Bailey "We say this to all of our white friends, when we tell you about our fears, please listen...when we tell you we are afraid for our kids, please listen...when we tell you there are many challenges we face because of the color of our skin, please listen" pic.twitter.com/zjk3fyz1p1
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) August 4, 2019
His speech was befitting of the unique, insanely talented player that he was in his prime.
Bailey, who was enshrined alongside players including Ed Reed, Tony Gonzalez and Kevin Mawae, was named to a record 12 Pro Bowls (for a defensive back) and made seven All-Pro Teams.
During his 2006 season, in which he was only targeted 35 times, he allowed just four catches and picked off 10 passes, which might be the greatest season a cornerback has ever had.
.@champbailey is forever enshrined ✨
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 4, 2019
? 12-time Pro Bowler; tied for most among DBs in NFL history
? 7-time All-Pro (3 1st-team selections)
? 52 career INTs
? Selected to NFL All-Decade Team of the 2000s
(via @nflthrowback)pic.twitter.com/X5zWOwHV5y
Bailey knew the impact that his words would have coming from a Hall of Fame cornerback. While it alone won't solve the racial struggles in this country, it was still an encouraging message that promotes racial harmony, and he should be commended for making it a focal point of his speech, especially during these tense times.