ETSU football players had the honor of meeting NFL retiree Ronald ‘Champ’ Bailey Jr. on Wednesday, Feb. 22.
Bailey currently is the CEO of Bailey Companies and Investments. His company was shooting a commercial in the area and the opportunity was presented to the ETSU football team to speak with him.
Hailing from small town Folkston, Georgia, Bailey rose to the top playing college football and being drafted by the NFL. He spoke of the hard work it took to get to where he got, what it was like being a professional and giving it your best every day.
“Anytime you get someone who has done it at the highest level and hear their story, it gives you a little bit of a roadmap to show you what can be done,” said head coach George Quarles.
Bailey spoke for a couple of minutes before opening the floor to the student-athletes for questions they had for the Hall of Fame inductee.
“We had questions ranging from what was a typical day like in the NFL or in the college game. There was a question about who the hardest guy he ever went against was,” shared Quarles.
When asked about the difference between playing on a team that was good versus a team that was bad, he mentioned that leadership was lacking on some teams. On others, there was great leadership that held players accountable.
Accountability and leadership were big themes during the chat.
“He talked about how you have to be accountable to your teammates and your team in general,” said Quarles. “He said leadership and accountability work hand in hand; you can be a leader by being accountable.”
Bailey mentioned there are different types of leaders: some leaders are very vocal, and others lead by example.
“He was more of a lead-by-example kind of guy, which I am all for. You don’t have to talk to be a leader. By being present, being where you’re supposed to be, doing what you are supposed to do, and doing your job the best you can, that’s a great way to lead,” said Quarles.
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