Denver Broncos legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Champ Bailey sat down with Essentially Sports for a wide-ranging interview about various topics.

Bailey went in-depth about his experiences with his former NFL team, the current squad, Bo Nix, Patrick Surtain, Sean Payton and his partnership with Positive Athlete for the My Cause, My Cleats campaign.

Q: I’m sure you’re happy about your Broncos against the Las Vegas Raiders, right? That was a weird game, right? Like, just what happened there?

“I don’t know. I’m going to go back and watch it because I was at a movie and it just, all I know is every time I looked up, there was some crazy play happening, you know, crazy pump. And then it was just an interception. I’m like, damn, man, what is going on? But we’re not going to beat any good teams, you know, playing like that.

We have to be better on offense. That record’s still pretty good, though, man. They’re winning, which is great. They’re learning through winning, which is what every team wants.”

So what inspired you to connect your My Cause, My Cleats campaign with Positive Athlete?

Well, the whole campaign always intrigued me. And, just so you understand, this didn’t start until after I retired in 2014. So I never participated in the My Cause, My Cleats campaign throughout my career. But when it did start, I thought, ‘Man, this is such a cool idea.’ So it always had my attention. But I never thought that I could participate. And, you know, now as a former player, a legend of the game, you know, I’m able to partake. So I thought, you know, being that I’m involved with Positive Athlete, and it’s such a, you know, athlete-driven cause that we serve, it just made sense to try to, you know, marry the two together in this way. And I didn’t think it was possible. But, you know, of course, who would resist, you know, promoting a great cause and in partnership with the, you know, the best sports league in the world, you know, the NFL.”

Positive Athlete focuses on recognizing character and leadership. Why is that kind of recognition so important for young athletes?

“Well, one thing we have to understand is that sports teach you a lot. And I think most of the time, people only focus on the ones that are stuffing the stat sheet, the five-star athlete, those who are really great at the sport. But what’s happening is these athletes are learning how to be leaders. They’re learning accountability. They’re learning resilience.

These are things that sports teach you daily. Once I came across Positive Athlete and saw really what they were trying to do as far as highlighting these different characteristics of these kids that were on these team sports or individual sports, but they exude all this high character.

They’re also great community advocates who support various causes within the community. They overcome injuries. And they’re not always the ones that are stuffing the stat sheet, but what they’re learning is what we want to highlight and pour into. So, recognizing these kids is one way, right?

We nominate kids across the country. I mean, there are 10 million student athletes in 9th through 12th grade across the country. That’s a large body. But what I think we do best is we recognize them through the leaders that they’re around every day.

So, we empower the ADs, the coaches, the parents to nominate these kids as positive athletes. And it doesn’t cost them anything except five minutes of their time. But I think there are always parents, coaches, and people in these spaces who appreciate the ones who show up on time. They’re a great teammate. Those are the things that really matter when you transition out of sports.

So, for us to be able to highlight those and then empower them with some leadership and character development tools, and then connect them with opportunities, I mean, it’s the perfect marriage to me. And that’s what made me gravitate to it. Because I think most athletes understand that the chances of going pro in whatever sport you’re playing are very slim.

Even if you’re really good, it’s very, very slim. And a lot of it’s to do with timing, relationships, all these other things that factor into your progression through a sport and when it’s going to end.

So, the writing is not always on the wall. But what we can do is recognize them while they’re playing at this high school level. One thing we’ve noticed is that once these kids get recognized, regardless of what they’re doing on the field, their confidence shoots through the roof. Because now they understand the value in things other than just putting on the cleats and going to play.

Like, yeah, we all want to win games. We all want to win matches. But at the end of the day, like, those games and those matches come to an end. And now what have you gotten out of it? And that’s sort of what we play the role of. Everything you’ve learned is valuable to the real world and your transition out of sports. So, let’s highlight it. Let’s empower more of that. And then let’s connect them to opportunities.”

When you look back on your time in Denver, what moments stand out the most, defining points of your Broncos career?

“I’ve made a lot of friends, built a lot of relationships. And a lot of those are really strong today. And I tell people all the time, one thing you can’t recreate is the locker room. And it’s just something you can’t create on the outside, no matter what.

When you’re in sports, when you’re an athlete, you really have no control over how the locker room comes together. You’re just playing and doing your thing. But when you look around, you see so many different faces and people coming from all over the world, all over the country. And now you’re all in this space.

But what’s constant is that one thing. We’re all going to try to accomplish this mission that we set forth. And that’s winning games, winning championships, so that it just indirectly builds these bonds because you’re going through the process.

And that’s what I love and miss the most about my time in Denver: the locker room and that feeling, understanding that we all have a role to play. I’m going to be a great teammate. And you can just never recreate that once you leave the game. It’s just something that’s so special.

I always tell people that all the time. There’s nothing else that compares to being in a room full of people and y’all have one mission, especially football, the ultimate team sport, because you’ve got so many different backgrounds and personalities in one space, trying to fight for one thing. And it’s special. You can’t replace it. Nothing you can do to recreate that. It’s so special in that way.”

It’s kind of a bummer, but I guess that’s what makes it so special, right?

“Exactly. I mean, it is what it is. I think, as you can see, like a lot of guys are doing podcasts, they’re in the service, but those are constructed by themselves.

I think when you’re put in a place where you don’t have control over who else is on your team, it forces you to create bonds that you never thought you could create.

And yeah, it’s a special thing.”

Your 2006 season is often considered one of the greatest ever by a cornerback. What made that year so special for you?

“Oh, man. It really started the year before. It’s hard to explain. I can tell you a little bit about why I made so many plays. I mean, the year before, I had eight interceptions, and what I realized at that time was that I was in the prime of my career, but I remember hurting my hamstring. And it forced me to sort of change my technique or my approach and how I cover people.

So I started backing up more and just reading the quarterback more. And what it enabled me to do was use my instincts more because now I could see the ball coming out. I could see what was going on. And now all the film study became more impactful because I could prepare and anticipate things a lot faster.

And I was, again, in the prime of my career. So my hands were great. My speed was at its best or the height of my career. So when you factor in all that, I’m seeing the ball like I’m going to take it away. So ultimately, that’s what happened. And it spilled over into 2006, which was an even better year. Because, you know, I was taking the ball away, I went from eight interceptions to 10.

Usually, by then, people get the message and don’t target him, but they don’t really target me much. I think I got about two to three targets a game that whole season, and I still came away with 10 picks. So it’s just one of those things. They allowed me to use the technique.

I wouldn’t say they allowed, but I was in a position where I just started using the technique that worked for me. And then, you know, ultimately, I just was able to make plays and capitalize on it.”

What does it mean for you to be forever linked with the Broncos franchise?

“I mean, it’s everything. I think what I tell people a lot is that there are organizations that are first-class. I think if you really look back at the state of a franchise over the past 20 years, you could probably, without being in a locker room, point to the organizations that are probably pretty good or high up on the list. And the Broncos are one of those.

When I got there, Pat Bowlen, the best owner in the game, allowed his coaches to coach and he allowed his GMs to manage the way that they do. And it was really just empowering everybody around us, and it trickled down all the way to the janitor in the locker room.

I’m telling you, we were surrounded by greatness, but it also took the leadership of a great owner to put us in position to win. That’s why I feel the transition of the Walton-Penner group was so seamless. Now they’re just elevating it. Like they’re doing more, you know, because Pat Bowlen and his family have set the standard.

They just know that they have to either meet that standard or exceed it. And they’re trying to exceed it, which I love. And, you know, it’s been great. I mean, I have not one negative thing to say about the Broncos franchise and how they’ve taken care of me.”

What are your thoughts on the Broncos’ direction right now, in terms of the pieces they have on defense?

“Well, as we all know, defensively, you know, I love the old cliche, defense wins championships. And I firmly believe that. And honestly, I don’t know how you win without it. And you can go back to any of these teams that have won championships. Their defense had to be balling, like you had to be making plays.

And it might not have been like that the whole year. But when it mattered most in the playoffs, that’s how you keep advancing in the playoffs. Great defense, getting stops. But I cannot say enough that getting the right quarterback is so much more than the icing on the cake.

You have to have good leadership, good play at the quarterback position. And I think they found that in Bo Nix.

Obviously, in his second year, still learning how to play the position. But right now, his progression looks really good. So for him, he just has to make sure he manages the game well at this point, you know, because the defense has been so great.

Now it’d be nice to have Pat Surtain back out there and healthy, you know, because it’s only a matter of time before they find some weaknesses here and there without him in there. But their front is so good. When you have a great front like that, you can do anything on the back end. But you know, you want your best player out there.”

What about Patrick Surtain? Do you see some of yourself in Surtain?

“Well, he’s much bigger than I am. He’s much smarter than I am. The kids today have so much more information. And when you have somebody like him, the way he’s built, and he’s soaking up all that information, a great athlete. I mean, the sky’s the limit. I said it when he got drafted. This kid is on a Hall of Fame trajectory in his career. And we can you argue against that at this point in his career?

He could probably retire and have a chance to get in the Hall of Fame. That’s how good he’s been. It’s amazing. You can’t say that about any young corner around the league. Even myself in my career, like none of us did that much that early to have those type of things said about them. But he’s done that.

And he’s still getting better, which is what’s scary. So I look forward to him just elevating and seeing where it goes. Because, yeah, the guy is built to last. So, it’s just about staying healthy. Keep getting better. I just want to see how his career pans out. But you know, at this point, it’s been very good.”

That’s the crazy thing about the corner position, right? You have to be really good to be known just to be known, right? Like, like you’re like your name, you’re synonymous with the corner position. And then there’s like what Surtain and Sauce Gardner, right? That’s probably it in terms of like the guys that people know. So that is the crazy thing. And it’s such a tough position to play.

“I think about a guy like Stephon Gilmore. Like when you hear that name, you think, ‘Oh, he’s going to the Hall of Fame.’ But then you have to sit back and say, ‘Okay, this guy was a Player of the Year.’ That’s hard to do what he did, considering his career.”

Gilmore is not a name that most people would know unless you’re a football fan, right?

“It’s hard to be known as a corner. And you said it best. I’m glad you brought that up. Because nobody knows that our best plays are our best games, which aren’t talked about, or right when the ball doesn’t come our way. We don’t get thrown to because they’re scared of you.

Right? Nobody knows I hold the NFL record for pass breakups. Like nobody knows that.

Those are things that don’t get highlighted. Because as a quarterback, you don’t want to be talked about. Generally, being talked about means you’re getting your ass kicked. So that’s probably true. Yeah, yeah. That’s usually how it goes.”

The AFC West has become like one of the toughest divisions in the NFL. I think it has been for a kind of long time. But what does Denver need to do to get, you know, over the top to see?

“They have the [Los Angeles] Chargers to chase. I mean, same old story. And then the Raiders just kind of try to spoil it for everybody. So, that’s usually how it works in that division.

But man, it’s the play, right? That’s sort of kind of where they are. As far as you know, their chances to sort of separate themselves.

But I think what’s going to separate everybody is how the defense plays, because you’re going to have some good quarterback play.

It’s just who’s going to stop the best quarterbacks, the Pat Mahomes and Justin Herbert. Yeah, it’s who’s going to stop Bo Nix, so making it hard for the quarterback. So it’s gonna be the defense that separates, who’s going to be at the top.

But again, man, you got to have quarterback play excellent quarterback play to really make some noise, you know, and to overcome these good defenses.

Are there any young Broncos players that you’re particularly excited about or think could become stars? I mean, outside of Bo Nix, which we kind of already talked about?

“The young running back, [RJ] Harvey, he is explosive. I feel like they’re starting to figure out how to use them more. It’s just, it’s hard to tell when they’re gonna really, like, give him a big load. Or are they gonna just give him gadget plays? I feel like he’s gonna be an every-down back at some point in his career. And it’s not just going to be plays here and there.

The good thing for him is he’s learning from a veteran in [JK] Dobbins. He’s got a very seasoned and experienced coach in Sean Payton. So he’s surrounded by good leadership that’s going to elevate his game.

So I’m looking forward to seeing and today [Jahdae] Barron on defense. So if you want one on each side of the ball, I’m looking forward to seeing how he continues to grow. And I noticed that he was on my guy, Brock Bowers, a lot [in the game against Las Vegas]. I need to go back and really watch that. And so I see how they use him because he’s so versatile.

It’s all about timing, like I can have the things I wish for with these guys. But I’m not in that locker room, right?

So, for me, I want to see what he’s really good at. And I’m starting to learn what this guy’s really good at. And I want to see him make more plays. I think he had a pick a couple of weeks ago, his first pick. It’s just little stuff like that, that I really look for in these young players, like how are they gonna use and how they’re going to take the coaching and continue to get better.

What about Sean Payton? You mentioned him for a second there. What are your thoughts on him? Do you like the direction he’s taking? And I know it was kind of like a rough start. The quarterback position has been difficult for him to figure out since, at least until they got Bo Nix, right?

“Bo Nix gives them some direction. Yeah, it gives them some hope. They can look forward with a lot of confidence that you found your guy, but I don’t think he’d be happy with 10 points. You know, in a primetime game, right? And then 18 (points) the week before, but the beauty in it is you’re winning and you’re learning. And I think he’s still trying to figure out how to create more explosive plays.

Ultimately, it’s hard just to continue going first, second, third down, first, second, third down, all the way down the field; you’ve got to create big plays. And when they’ve made big plays, they’ve won games because the defense is so good. And that’s really what I want to see. Like him, how does he create more explosive plays?

It could be a personnel thing. It could be. It could be just play-calling. I don’t know. But I’m, I can guarantee you he’s not happy. Even after a big win last night.”

That sounds like Sean Payton.

“Yep. It’s never good enough.”

If you could pick one quarterback from any era to intercept one more time, who would it be? One more time?”

“Let’s say Dan Marino. I actually played against him my rookie year. That was his last year. And he threw a curl route, and I stuck my hand in there and fractured my thumb. And we were going to the playoffs. So I’m in the playoffs with a cast on my thumb.

It’s just a testament to his arm strength. He threw it hard as he could. I stuck my hand in there and fractured my thumb. But he was one of the greats. He’s still in my top five, even with all this crazy quarterback play as of late.

He’s probably the most talented guy to ever lace ’em up.”

It’s kind of a shame he never won one, huh? Like, considering how good he was.

“I mean, everybody’s kind of high on him. We talk about it all the time when we’re together. So yeah, great dude, too.”

What’s one story from your playing days that you haven’t shared often, but fans would love?

“That’s a that’s a good question. I don’t think people realize the teammates and the people I’ve played with, and just started my rookie year. So I come in, I got Darrell Green. Marco Coleman.

In the next year, I got Deion Sanders, Bruce Smith, Mark Carrier, like all these guys that were ultimately my mentors and leaders the first few years of my career.

And I think because I played so long, people forget like the first part of my career and who I was surrounded by.

And now, when I look around the league, all I see are former teammates coaching. There are very few guys that still play that I played with at some point, very few. I think Matt Prater, Von Miller might be the only two I can think of off the top of my head.

I think when I look at my career and all the different talents and personalities I was around, I always have to remind people that this is why I was good, because I had such good mentors. I had good coaches. I know I worked hard, and I made the plays myself.

But ultimately, without their leadership, I don’t think I would be in the Hall of Fame. I just don’t.

I mean, Darrell Green was my coach. So my first year, Darrell Green was my coach. And what I mean is, no, he didn’t teach me the X’s and O’s. That was my position coach, Tom Hayes. But every day, Darrell Green and I would have our sessions.

And it started after he watched me for a few weeks. He just wanted to see what I was good at. And then he took what he was good at and implemented it into my game. And he would just say little things that I still teach today to kids who try to play corner.

So look, without him, I’m not the guy I am. I don’t have that career because I didn’t learn how to play corner until I got around him. I was just being an athlete. I was just a good athlete.

You run a curl, right? I’m all over you. I don’t know how. But now I learned how to actually do that and prepare and anticipate. It was all him.”

Who’s faster in your prime?

“He tells this story. He always says it’s about himself. I don’t know how fast I am. I always ran fast enough to win the race. But that was pretty fast.

So I’m never gonna say I was faster than him. This dude was a track guy playing football. He was a track guy who was really good at football.

There are so many guys that I played with and against that were fast, faster, but on the field, you can kind of eliminate some of that, man.

But he was by far one of the fastest humans I’ve been around. Now, he was still fast when I played with him. But I probably could have beaten him in a race at that point. But I should have put him to the test.”