ENGLEWOOD – If Adam Jones wants to wear No. 24, Champ Bailey has no problem.
Bailey got a call Monday from Broncos equipment manager Chris “Flip” Valenti, who wanted to get the former great cornerback's thoughts on his former No. 24 after the team recently signed Adam Jones.
Jones wore No. 24 the past eight seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. He has been wearing No. 20 in his first two days of practice with the Broncos.
“I told ‘Flip’ I was all for it just because I respect Pacman’s story,’’ Bailey said in a phone interview Tuesday with 9NEWS. “Being that (Jones) is a Georgia guy, I’ve always been a fan of his. Being 35 years old with all the (stuff) he’s been through – it’s respectable the career he’s had.’’
Bailey was a 12-time Pro Bowl cornerback in his 15-year career with eight of those Pro Bowls coming while wearing No. 24 for 10 seasons with the Broncos. He is first-time eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2019 and is expected to be no less than a top 15 modern-era finalist when the 48-person voting committee gathers on Super Bowl LIII eve in Atlanta.
If the voters want to save the Hall of Fame budget some travel expenses, they’ll give Bailey the nod. He lives in the Atlanta area.
“I don’t dwell on it, but people bring it up everywhere I go,’’ Bailey said about his upcoming Hall of Fame vote. “The big thing is I’ll be in Atlanta at that time of the final vote. The fact it’s at home kind of creates a different dynamic for me.’’
If it happens, Bailey would likely join his former Bowlen in the Hall of Fame. Bowlen has been nominated as a contributor finalist.
“That would be great,’’ Bailey said. “That would definitely mean the Broncos would have to play in that (Hall of Fame) game. I don’t know what the players would have to say about that. But it would be special for the fans.’’
In the meantime, Bailey is ready to surrender his No. 24 that has been unofficially retired through four seasons...
“Yeah, and they’ve had the opportunity to give it out,’’ Bailey said. “It’s a popular number. A lot of people cherish that number. I was worried that some rookie who was unproven would come in and get it.
“But it’s not my call. The franchise can do whatever they want. The fact they respect me enough to ask means a lot. I told them I don’t mind Pacman wearing it. I respect the hell out of him.’’
