A new era of Washington football begins on Sunday as the Washington Commanders host the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1. Washington’s new ownership group has a theme for Sunday’s game: “Welcome home.”
It’s a welcome home to the fans returning to the franchise after Daniel Snyder sold the team. It’s a welcome home to some of the former players who’ve stayed away over the years, including Hall of Famers John Riggins and Champ Bailey.
Buy Commanders TicketsBoth will be in attendance on Sunday. Riggins and Bailey have different legacies in the eyes of Washington fans. Riggins is an iconic figure, an honorary “Hog” who won a Super Bowl during his time with the organization.
Bailey, though, was different. He was a top-10 pick in the 1999 NFL draft by Washington and spent his first five seasons with the franchise before he was traded with a second-round pick to the Broncos for running back Clinton Portis ahead of the 2004 season.
Yet, despite only playing five seasons in the burgundy and gold, Bailey left a legacy. He made four Pro Bowls and was a two-time second-team All-Pro. He intercepted 18 passes in five seasons with Washington. Bailey would go on to play 10 seasons for the Broncos, and when he would be questioned about his time in Washington, it was primarily negative.
Bailey always praised Washington’s fan base. He didn’t have a lot of positive things to say about Snyder.
While we’ve heard rumors of why Bailey wanted out over the years, they remain rumors. Bailey spoke to Sam Fortier of The Washington Post over the weekend and maintained he never wanted to leave the franchise that drafted him.
“I never wanted to leave,” Bailey told Fortier. “Like, that was not my intentions. I valued this franchise.”
Bailey spoke of Snyder and his lack of relationship with the former owner, including an impersonal phone call from Snyder to Bailey when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.
How did that call from Snyder begin? “Hold for Daniel Snyder,” Bailey said.
While Bailey has nothing but love for the Broncos and what they meant to him, he is more than excited to also be reunited with the team that drafted him.
“But as we move forward, I would love to be a part of the organization,” Bailey said. “They’ve been patient. They’ve offered several ways to come back. The timing just never felt right. Now, with new ownership, it just feels like things are being revived here, a little rejuvenated. I just want to be a part of that. And I think the timing is good.”
Bailey is one of several legends and former team standouts who will be in attendance for the Week 1 game against the Cardinals. Bailey will serve as Washington’s honorary captain and “Legend of the Game.”
