What Does the Future Hold for Rams WR Stedman Bailey?

Aug 14, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; St. Louis Rams receivers Stedman Bailey (12) and Tavon Austin (11) pose after the preseason NFL game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Ugly (Future)

Stedman Bailey is forced to retire early. Although his surgery was successful, the injuries sustained were too much for Bailey’s football career to continue. This would be an absolutely tragic end to a professional career that never really got a chance to take off. Such a scenario is unlikely considering Bailey is in a stable condition, but you never know what the doctors might determine in the next few weeks.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Stedman Bailey will do everything in his power to play football again. However, I also believe that he is willing to give up the sport in order to take care of his family. Family comes before football no matter what, and I’m sure Bailey—who is already the father of a son—is aware of that.

Bailey’s current rookie contract with the St. Louis Rams is good for $2.7 million over four years up until 2017 with $527,400 guaranteed. This means that he has managed to earn over $1 million during the first few years of his career. So unless Bailey overspends his money, he should be in a really good financial situation to raise his family as long as he finds jobs outside of football. Even if he finds himself in a financial hole, I’m sure former teammates wouldn’t hesitate to send him money or find him work. He is too well-liked by his peers to not receive help in a time of need.

Nov 9, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; St. Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey (12) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The most important thing in all of this? That Stedman Bailey’s well-being remains intact.

I honestly could care less if Stedman Bailey never plays another snap of football. Bailey is beyond lucky to have survived multiple gunshot wounds to the head. It’s a miracle. Yes, it would be depressing to see such talent wasted away by the hands of a criminal who has the audacity to shoot up a vehicle that had two children in the backseats. But I’ll be happy as long as he is able to live, breathe, and raise his family. Believe it or not, there’s more to life than football.

Forget the “ball is life” mentality. It’s not. I love the game of football with all my heart, but there are countless other priorities in my life that come before it. I love the Rams until the day I die, but I don’t lament over years of failure and mediocrity. Stedman Bailey is one of the hardest workers in the football industry and even he realizes that there’s a life to live outside of the sport. He’ll find a way to live without football if he has to.

But whatever happens, we must have hope that things will work out for Bailey. Whether he continues his football career or is forced to venture elsewhere, Bailey has a bright future ahead of him. All we can do right now is send our thoughts and prayers to Stedman Bailey and his family.

Rams Nation is behind you, Sted. We’re hoping to see you on the field again, but are ready to let you go. You’re only twenty-five years old, and you have a wonderful life still ahead of you.

Get better, 12.

The St. Louis Rams (4-6) are heading to the Paul Brown Stadium in Ohio to take on the Cincinnati Bengals (8-2) this upcoming Sunday. The Rams will be without Stedman Bailey, but will try their hardest to snap their three-game losing streak against a really good Bengals team. #Pray4Stedman.