Champ Bailey Eager to Win Another Championship

Shapecity · Jun 7, 2009

REGINA — Brandon "Bam" Childress has the pedigree of a champion.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders' hopeful, a cousin to Denver Broncos All-Pro cornerback Champ Bailey, has been associated with winners throughout his football career. From capturing a national title with the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2003, to his three-year affiliation with the New England Patriots, it's an indisputable fact that where Childress goes success usually follows.

"I'm all about winning," offered the speedy receiver following Day 2 of Riders rookie camp at Mosaic Stadium. "I hate losing. I don't have a bad attitude when I lose, but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I love to compete. I wanna bring that here too, but they already have it here. Whatever I can do to help the team win a Grey Cup, I'm there."

When it comes to winning, Childress has been there, done that, on the grandest stages in American football.

Childress was with the Patriots from 2005 to 2007, spending most of his time on the practice roster. New England won the Super Bowl in his rookie campaign and — two years later — had the first 16-0 regular season in NFL history. The team posted two more playoff wins before its quest for a perfect season ended at the hands of the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLIII.

"I've been fortunate," said the native of West Palm Beach, Fla. "In high school we were undefeated, in college it was a national championship. To be part of the 18-and-0 team, it was a blessing. Now being here, it's a blessing too. We have a chance to do something special. Everywhere I go I've been fortunate being in good positions on good teams."

A 5-foot-9, 185-pound "playmaker," Childress earned his nickname as a kid from imitating the character Bamm-Bamm on the Flintstones cartoon. That tough-guy persona transferred well to the gridiron, helping him emerge as a surprise fan favourite in training camp with New England, where he drew comparisons to versatile receiver/cornerback/returner Troy Brown.

Childress played three career NFL games, beginning with the final contest of the 2005 campaign against the Miami Dolphins. In that game, Childress had a team-high three catches for 32 yards and also made five tackles as a backup cornerback.

"The more you can do, the longer you stick around," he noted. "I can do punt return, kick return, wide receiver, DB. Shoot, if you want me to snap the ball to the quarterback, I'm there. As long as I can help the team win."

That, in a nutshell, is what brings him to the Riders.

"My agent told me about Saskatchewan," explained Childress, 27, who attended training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles last season. "I didn't know a whole bunch about the CFL but he told me Saskatchewan was real good and the coaches were real good. They're kinda like the New England Patriots, so I'd get comfortable real quick. I was, 'Yeah, I wanna go.' Right now it's just getting adjusted on the field but that's coming along great too."

For all he has seen and accomplished, Childress admits he would have liked a better crack in the NFL. That said, he has "no regrets" and is thankful for every opportunity he received, especially his time mentoring under the likes of Tom Brady and Randy Moss in New England.

"Even though you're not out there every game, you're still getting better and better because you're going against the best every single day in practice," added Childress. "Those guys were humble. It was never like, 'I'm too good to talk to this guy.' When I first got there, Tom introduced himself to me. I was just like, 'I know who you are; You don't have to introduce yourself to me.' That's how they were.

"It was just a great experience. Wherever I've been, I took something. Whatever I learn, I take it with me and be humble about it."
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Source: LeaderPost

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Champ Bailey Eager to Win Another Championship

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Champ Bailey Eager to Win Another Championship

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