The Class of (A)Champ(ion)

by KaptainKirk on Jun 26, 2009 7:50 PM MDT

Two days ago, my folks were getting ready to fly back home from California after attending my Grandma's funeral. As they were awaiting their flight at LAX, my Dad nudged my Mom and said, "Do you know who that is?" My Mom replied that she didn't and Dad said, "that's Champ Bailey, he's a Bronco."

Later on, as they boarded their plane, my Dad saw Champ sitting in the 1st class seating section talking on his cell phone. So my Dad says, "hey, are you Champ Bailey?" Well Champ was kinda busy on the phone, but my Dad was persistent and asked again, "hey Champ, can I get an autograph for my sick kid?" Then Champ asked him for the materials for an autograph, and addressed it to me. I would never have pestered Champ especially as he was on the phone, and I admonished my Dad a little bit for bothering the man. But I can't say I wasn't happy with the gift. Now, I'm not one who collects signatures unless it's a petition or something, but I thought that Mr. Bailey showed the class of a true professional, and if you are reading this Champ, I thank you very much and "Mile High Salute" you sir.

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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Stoked for you KK....enjoy that autograph. Champ is class!

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
All I want is 53 Rod Smiths. Is that asking too much????
"Peyton Hillis didn’t rip the sleeves off his jersey, they flew off out of fear."
Calijoefornia.

by boydy2669 on Jun 26, 2009 8:16 PM MDT reply actions

Kirk great job in getting the autograph.

by bfree2bronc on Jun 26, 2009 9:47 PM MDT reply actions

Great snag!

I love it when a players impromptu off-field behavior matches his rep. Champ is all class.

by SlowWhiteGuy on Jun 27, 2009 8:23 AM MDT reply actions

Admonished

I can’t imagine how many times players and famous folk in general have to put up with so many varieties of things from admirers, but what a fortunate occurrence!

I always wonder if any players come read stuff here, or on DB.com about themselves
I just had my first Bailey autograph, that a friend got for me on a mini-helmet at the fan fair! Thanks for the story Kap’n, it’s always good to hear, like SWG said, the off-field matchup of what you believe to exist in a player’s personality.

First team to three consecutive SB wins!!!! and then some, right? I think four and we oughtta let someone else have a fair shot : )

by PearlJamBroncoGFunk on Jun 28, 2009 1:54 PM MDT reply actions

Love it.

not only that champ was classy and you got the autograph but that you had to put the clamps down on the old man. although, to be fair, i once saw mike shanahan playing blackjack in vegas and badgered him for an autograph… twice. ugh. (shanny was also total class).

by oxmouth on Jun 28, 2009 10:44 PM MDT reply actions

Quite a while ago

my brother and flew from Chicago to San Francisco and he got upped to first class (gotta love that). Anyway, he had the pleasure of sitting with Joe Montana on the plane. Anyways, they got to chatting and stuff and this was in the midst our dominance between 97 and 98 and my brother asked Mr. Montana about retirement and how he dealt with it. He said he couldn’t bear playing for the Chiefs because he was always a 49er at heart. He also said that he hated having to play the Broncos because he felt that John Elway was a better quarterback. I don’t remember the words verbatim but it was basically that he felt Elway was stronger, smarter and more talented in pretty much every aspect of the game. In hindsight, It’s really cool to know that even Joe Montana is still human and is a fan of the game. He wound up giving my brother a few autographs and mine still sits proudly right next to my autographed Elway rookie card.

Peyton Hillis is also referred to in early Greek mythology by his other names such as Zeus or Poseidon.

by Joe Medina on Jun 30, 2009 5:07 AM MDT reply actions

Thanks guys

"You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough, in the second half you give what's left." – Yogi Berra
"No, I'm from Iowa, I only work in outer space."

by KaptainKirk on Jun 30, 2009 7:38 AM MDT reply actions