The Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2019 was inducted on Saturday, and new member Champ Bailey delivered a moving enshrinement speech with a powerful plea for people to listen to concerns about race relations.
Bailey, a former cornerback for the Washington Redskins and Denver Broncos, used his time at the podium inside Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, to address a long-standing issue that he said he faced throughout his accomplished career.
This powerful message from @ChampBailey: "Please listen."#PFHOF19 pic.twitter.com/37eV6bpbGN
— NFL (@NFL) August 4, 2019
"The first thing people see when they look at me is not a Pro Football Hall of Famer, or a husband, or a father," he said. "They view me first as a black man. So on behalf of all the black men I've mentioned tonight and many more out there, who've had most of the experiences I've had in my lifetime, we say this to all our white friends. When we tell you about our fears, please listen. When we tell you we're afraid for our kids, please listen. When we tell you there are many challenges we face because of the color of our skin, please listen. And please do not get caught up in how the message is delivered."
(MORE: Ravens invite blind fan to read draft pick in Braille, 1st time in NFL history)""I believe, if we start with listening...there's no telling the progress we can make." - @champbailey @Broncos #PFHOF19 pic.twitter.com/IVRojTbOKr
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) August 4, 2019
"I believe if we start listening, there's no telling the progress we can make," he continued. "All of us are dads, sons, bothers, your friends. All of us understand if we can't get our friends to listen, then no one will."
Bailey also spoke about lessons he said he learned from his playing career.
The speech garnered massive attention on social media -- and Bailey picked up extra encouragement from fans when he tweeted out his cell phone number just moments before he began his remarks.
"Text me and let me know how you like my speech," he tweeted to his 119,000 followers.
Thanks for the love and encouragement. Almost my turn. Text me and let me know how you like my speech. (404) 994-8030 pic.twitter.com/TbEOMhi0xo
— Champ Bailey (@champbailey) August 4, 2019
Bailey was inducted alongside long-time Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, who passed away in June after guiding the Broncos to more than 350 victories, seven Super Bowl appearances and three Super Bowl titles in his 35 years of ownership.
🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐#PFHOF19 pic.twitter.com/JUNv3iIrGO
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 4, 2019
This year's other inductees were contributor Gil Brandt, tight end Tony Gonzalez, center Kevin Mawae, safeties Ed Reed and Johnny Robinson, and cornerback Ty Law, who finished his 15-year NFL career with the Broncos.
Including the newly-elected Class of 2019, the Hall of Fame’s membership now stands at 326.
