When the Broncos team buses pulled into the driveway of the Hyatt Hotel in Jersey City late Sunday afternoon, Champ Bailey had finally arrived after 15 years.
At the Super Bowl.
Bailey’s NFL journey has taken him to many places. He has been to the Pro Bowl 12 times, the most of any cornerback in league history. He has been named All-Pro seven times. He has made 52 career interceptions. He was even named to the prestigious NFL 2000s All-Decade team. The Hall of Fame will follow, the moment he is eligible.
But Bailey has never been to a Super Bowl. Not as a participant, not as a fan.
Bailey, quietly and steadfastly, stayed true to the principle he would not attend a Super Bowl unless he was playing in one.
“I didn’t see any reason to go,’’ Bailey said Sunday. “I mean, I’m not going to cheer for anybody; I have no special interest in the game other than being a fan watching at home, so why go? That’s the way I’ve always been.
But I never said, ‘It should be me,’ or took anything away from guys that earned it.’’
Although he has not hinted about any intention to retire after this Super Bowl, Bailey, 35, this week takes on the role of retiring Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis a year ago as a sentimental favorite — albeit much more quietly.
“I’m not really thinking about retiring and if I win what’s going to happen,’’ Bailey said. “All I’m thinking about is winning and doing whatever I’ve got to do to win the game. After the game we’ll talk about that.’’
Make no mistake: As much as every other Broncos player wants to win this game for himself, winning for Bailey is a close second.
“Champ Bailey? The coolest guy ever,’’ Broncos guard Louis Vasquez said. “Everything Champ Bailey does is cool. He’s an old soul.’’
It is deliciously fitting the marquee cornerback for the opposing Seahawks, Richard Sherman, has drawn more media attention to himself than all of the Kardashian sisters combined; Bailey is Sherman’s polar opposite.
“He lets his play talk,’’ Vasquez said.
“He’s humble. You don’t see Champ being flashy or demanding respect or using his seniority to get things. When Champ walks in the room, his presence alone says enough,” Broncos safety Mike Adams said.
“Champ doesn’t say that much, but when he does speak everyone listens,’’ Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton said. “He leads by example. With the career he’s had he’s definitely one of the guys that deserves a Super Bowl ring to put an exclamation point on his career.’’
Former NFL safety Brian Dawkins, who played his last three seasons alongside Bailey in the Denver secondary, got visibly emotional when asked about his former teammate finally making it to a Super Bowl. The thought of Bailey and the Broncos winning it was almost too powerful for him to digest.
“Oh man … that will be a picturesque moment if that happens,’’ Dawkins said. “I don’t know how he will react, but I know how I will react if it does happen for him: There will be tears of joy.’’
Bailey feels the adulation from his teammates and he appreciates every ounce of it, but he is quick to point out: “I love the respect and everything my teammates give me, but it’s not about me.’’
Bailey was one of the first players Broncos head coach John Fox sought out when he was hired three years ago, and he proved to be an invaluable resource.
“From the very onset, he gave me great insight to the Broncos organization, to a lot of the players _ and you need that as a newcomer, regardless of if you’re a head coach or not,’’ Fox said. “He’s been a valuable part of the success we’ve had, and with the successes he’s has had, to never have had the experience of trotting out on Super Bowl Sunday is crazy.’’
Bailey said getting to a Super Bowl after all these years finally sunk in Sunday morning before departing Denver for New Jersey.
“Once you start packing and you walk out of the house with your suitcase,’’ he said, “that’s when you realize what’s in front of you. It has been a long road, but I’m trying not to hype it up more than it should be. I just want to get to work, prepare and do the things we need to do to make sure we win the game.’’