Stedman Bailey Hopes to Assist From Sidelines

Stedman Bailey, still recovering from gunshot wounds sustained last year, is looking to help the team from the sidelines.

Life has been a roller-coaster ride in recent years for wide receiver Stedman Bailey.

He was drafted out of West Virginia by the Los Angeles Rams (then still in St. Louis) with the 92nd overall pick back in 2013.

Despite being overshadowed by his college teammate Tavon Austin, who was taken in the first round of the same draft (also by the Rams), it was noted that Bailey was every bit as productive as Austin in college.

Both the Rams organization and fans were optimistic about Bailey’s chances to help provide more firepower to a struggling passing game.

Unfortunately, in this three years with the team, Bailey failed to be more than an occasional threat on the offensive side of the ball.  His most productive season, in 2014, saw him make just 30 catches for 435 yards.

The 2015 season saw him on pace to do little more than match his 2014 numbers, before a four-game substance abuse suspension was handed out by the NFL.

While he had not turned himself into the receive threat many had hoped, this did not mean he had not made his presence felt around his teammates.

Not only had Stedman managed to turn himself into a solid contributor on special teams, he was a vocal presence in the locker room that was very popular with the rest of his teammates.  So his initial suspension was considered a real loss, despite his lack of offensive numbers.

That disappointment at his suspension quickly turned to real heartbreak, however, in  late November when it was learned that Bailey was shot twice in the head while visiting with family in the Miami area.  The discussion of “when” he would return quickly changed to “if” he would return.

Moving forward almost a year, Bailey is back on his feet.  He has gone from a guy that was unable to perform simple tasks like signing his name to working out and training every day with the goal of one day stepping back on the field again.

He has yet to receive medical clearance to begin playing again and there is no timetable for that ruling to come (assuming it even does at all).  So the Rams made the decision to waive Bailey with the goal of putting him on the reserve non-football injury list.

While this move means Bailey’s chance at a return to action will have to wait at least another year, this move does give him the opportunity to help in another way.

Jeff Fisher and the rest of the Rams’ coaching staff are introducing Bailey to many of the other steps required to prepare a team to play on Sunday.  Most notably, Bailey will be given ample opportunity to work with members of the wide receiver and special teams groups.

His NFL experience, along with his vocal leadership style, will serve him and his teammates well.

Stedman Bailey still has a long way to go and, even in the best of circumstances, it is unlikely he will ever be cleared to play football again.  But he continues to be optimistic and there is no doubt that his positive attitude and view on life will only help his Rams’ teammates moving forward.

Bailey may not be back in uniform, but that roller-coaster ride  of his is definitely on the way up.