It would have been very fitting for Champ Bailey to ride off into the sunset with a Super Bowl ring. After all he accomplished in his career with the Georgia Bulldogs, Washington Redskins, and Denver Broncos, it was the only thing missing from his amazing resume. Not all sports stories include a happy ending, though, but he has thrived in his new life as a full-time husband and father.
After being released by the Broncos after Super Bowl XLVIII, it appeared Bailey wasn't finished playing. He signed a two-year contract with the New Orleans Saints and had a fresh start. Little did anyone know one of the best players in NFL history wouldn't make the final roster.
Luckily, Bailey had already found love again and settled into retirement life as smooth as he played on the football field. The Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee never looked back.
Who is Champ Bailey's Wife Jessica?
Champ Bailey and his model girlfriend Jessica Herrera got married at the Pelican Hill resort in Newport Beach, California back in July 2014, according to TMZ Sports. The wedding ceremony looked beautiful, and you already know it was a big-time party. The special day was a long time in the making.
The NFL player had been married before. He tied the knot with Hanady Aboneaaj in 2002, and the couple had two children, including former Colorado State defensive back Keevan Bailey. They divorced in 2006.
The 12-time Pro Bowler then met Herrera in the late 2000s. Herrera, who went by the name Jesikah Maximus, had been on the cover of various fashion magazines. The couple also share two children.
Nobody knew it at the time, but the three-time first team All-Pro cornerback never played another snap in the NFL regular season after he got married again. He was married in July, didn't make the Saints roster in August, retired in October, and signed a one-day contract with the Broncos in order to leave the game on the team he loved.
Champ Bailey's Kids
RELATED: Champ Bailey's Son Wants to Be Better Than His Dad
Before he was an NFL superstar locking down receivers on the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks, an All-American football player at the University of Georgia, or even scoring touchdowns as a standout football player at Charlton County High School in Folkston, Georgia, Ronald "Champ" Bailey Jr. was a father.
Bailey had his first daughter, Bria, in 1993, when he was just 14 years old. He also had another daughter, Whitney, when he was 18.
Keevan Bailey was his first son with ex-wife Hanady Bailey. They also have a daughter named Miah.
Between his two relationships, the American football cornerback also had another son. He also has two sons with wife Jessica Herrera: Brayden Bailey and Beckem Bailey, who was born in 2018.
In all, Bailey has seven children.
The kids have two cool uncles and one great aunt, too. Champ's older brother Ron Bailey, older sister Danielle Bailey, and younger brother and former NFL linebacker Boss Bailey are all close with the Hall of Famer.
No matter what football team he was on, Champ Bailey was a superstar. He dominated in high school and in college football at UGA. The first round pick in the 1999 NFL Draft recorded 52 interceptions, 931 tackles and made 12 Pro Bowls in 15 seasons.
Nobody did it quite like @champbailey. pic.twitter.com/irrVI2RCha
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) June 22, 2019
He's now a superstar husband and father.
This post was originally published on July 23, 2020.
