Professional Football Player. For six seasons (1990 to 1995), he played at the running back position in the National Football League with the Chicago Bears, Phoenix Cardinals and Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams. Born Johnny Lee Bailey, he attended Jack Yates High School (Houston), where he was a star player, and continued his athletic career playing collegiate football at Texas A&I. While with the Javelinas, Bailey emerged as one of the most accomplished players in the history of Division II Football. He produced four consecutive 200-rushing yard games (his first four games), rushed for at least 100-yards his first 11 games, was recipient of the Harlon Hill Trophy three-times, and was Division II national rushing leader three-times (1986 to 1988). At the conclusion of his career with the Javelinas, Bailey was collegiate football's all-purpose yardage leader with 7,803. Selected by the Bears during the 9th round of the 1990 NFL Draft, he appeared in 81 career games, recording 832 rushing yards, with 6 touchdowns. He amassed 1,420 career punt-return yards and 2,420 kickoff-return yards, while leading the NFL in punt-return average with 13.2 in 1992. He established himself as one of the league's best special teams players during his career, earning Pro Bowl honors in 1992. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000. He died of pancreatic cancer at age 43.
Professional Football Player. For six seasons (1990 to 1995), he played at the running back position in the National Football League with the Chicago Bears, Phoenix Cardinals and Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams. Born Johnny Lee Bailey, he attended Jack Yates High School (Houston), where he was a star player, and continued his athletic career playing collegiate football at Texas A&I. While with the Javelinas, Bailey emerged as one of the most accomplished players in the history of Division II Football. He produced four consecutive 200-rushing yard games (his first four games), rushed for at least 100-yards his first 11 games, was recipient of the Harlon Hill Trophy three-times, and was Division II national rushing leader three-times (1986 to 1988). At the conclusion of his career with the Javelinas, Bailey was collegiate football's all-purpose yardage leader with 7,803. Selected by the Bears during the 9th round of the 1990 NFL Draft, he appeared in 81 career games, recording 832 rushing yards, with 6 touchdowns. He amassed 1,420 career punt-return yards and 2,420 kickoff-return yards, while leading the NFL in punt-return average with 13.2 in 1992. He established himself as one of the league's best special teams players during his career, earning Pro Bowl honors in 1992. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000. He died of pancreatic cancer at age 43.
Bio by: C.S.
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