By Caison Kirkland  

caison.kirkland@gaflnews.com

VALDOSTA — NFL star Champ Bailey made an inspiring appearance at VSU’s Health Sciences and Business Administration Building on Thursday. The Hall of Famer shared a heartfelt introduction and participated in an enlightening Q&A session with an audience eager to meet the football legend.

Before the public event, Bailey visited the Copeland African American Museum. As he explored the exhibits, Bailey reflected on the rich history of African American culture and the importance of understanding one’s roots.

The Dean of Finance, Karin Hartman, gave a brief overview of Bailey’s history on and off the field before handing the mic off to the man of the hour.

Bailey, who grew up in Folkston, Georgia, shared memories of his upbringing in a small town and emphasized the significance of understanding where one comes from to shape a meaningful future.

“I would hear stories from my parents and others about how challenging it was to do anything successful in town,” stated Bailey. “I don’t think you need to leave South Georgia in order to be successful. There’s a lot we could be doing here that can be determined as success,” said Bailey.

Champ Bailey’s Q&A session with students and attendees provided valuable insights into his career and personal growth. He shared that growing up, the only option seemed to be sports. He noted the pressure many young people face, believing that success can only be achieved through athletics, especially in communities that mirror his own upbringing.

Bailey stressed the importance of creating opportunities beyond the field. While football opened doors for him, he emphasized that not everyone can or should rely on sports as their path to success, advocating for a more diverse set of aspirations.

Reflecting on his transition out of football, Bailey highlighted how difficult it was to create structure after leaving the NFL. The rigid schedules, workouts, and team demands left him without a clear blueprint when he retired.

Bailey now finds joy in developing his own routine and pursuing interests outside the sport, though he admitted it’s an ongoing learning experience. He emphasized that structure is key in any profession, a lesson he carried from his NFL days into his current endeavors.

Bailey also advised students on leadership and business. When asked about starting a foundation or business, his advice was simple—seek experts. He explained the importance of finding knowledgeable people with a proven track record.

Acknowledging his mistakes in past ventures, he underscored the need to trust those who know the field and be open about ideas, as collaboration often leads to success. His humility in admitting missteps and the wisdom of learning from experts resonated strongly with the attendees.

The event ended with Roy Copeland and his family presenting Champ Bailey with the first-ever Copeland Legacy Leadership Award. Roy Copeland gave Bailey the award in recognition of Bailey’s support and contributions to the museum, as well as for his role in expanding the museum’s influence.

“Believe in yourself, stay open-minded, and embrace new ideas,” stated Bailey. “Put your ideas out there, look at others, and just learn. Try to be a student of life and see where it takes you.”