Robert Bailey (American football)

Robert Bailey
No. 28, 23, 35
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1968-09-03) September 3, 1968 (age 56)
Bridgetown, Barbados
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:176 lb (80 kg)
Career information
High school:Miami Southridge
(Miami, Florida)
College:Miami (FL)
NFL draft:1991 / round: 4 / pick: 107
Career history
Career highlights and awards
NFL record
  • Longest punt return: 103 yards
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions:10
Interception yards:215
Touchdowns:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Robert Martin Bailey (born September 3, 1968) is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams, Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, and the Baltimore Ravens. He played college football at the University of Miami.

Early life

Bailey attended Miami Southridge High School, where he lettered in football and track & field.

He accepted a scholarship from the University of Miami. As a junior, he started one game and recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown. He started every game in his last year, while tallying 75 tackles, one interception and 11 passes defensed.[1]

Professional career

Los Angeles Rams

Bailey was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round (107th overall) of the 1991 NFL draft.[2] As a rookie, he started the season on the injured reserve list for the first 5 games with a broken bone in his right hand. The tip of Bailey's left ring finger was torn off while playing against the Detroit Lions and he was placed on injured reserve for the remaining games.[3]

In his second season, he started 6 games at left cornerback, posting 3 interceptions. In 1993, he appeared in 9 games and tied for a team-high 2 interceptions before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

On October 23, 1994, Bailey made the longest punt return in NFL history when he ran 103 yards for a touchdown in a game against the New Orleans Saints.[4] What makes this return stand out is that every single player on the field assumed the ball was going to bounce through the end zone after the punt. Bailey saw that the ball never bounced out of the end zone and was still in play. He scooped up the ball and returned it for a touchdown before anyone on the Saints realized what had happened.[5] He was waived before the start of the 1995 season.

Washington Redskins

On September 12, 1995, he signed as a free agent with the Washington Redskins to take the place of the injured Muhammad Oliver. He played in 4 games before being released on October 16, to make room for wide receiver Olanda Truitt.[6]

Dallas Cowboys

On October 19, 1995, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys.[7] He played mainly as a special teams player, until being named the nickel back after Clayton Holmes was suspended under the NFL substance abuse policy.[8] He was a part of the Super Bowl XXX winning team.

Miami Dolphins

On March 7, 1996, the Miami Dolphins signed him as a free agent.[9] He was a backup cornerback that appeared in 14 games and was declared inactive for 2 contests.

Detroit Lions (first stint)

On April 25, 1997, he was signed as a free agent by the Detroit Lions. He registered 15 special teams tackles (fifth on the team).

In 1998, he played as a dime back, making 24 defensive tackles and 11 special teams tackles. The next year, he started 11 games at left cornerback and had 65 tackles, 2 interceptions, 24 passes defensed, 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.

Baltimore Ravens

For the 2000 season, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens.[10] He was the team's nickel back, recording 27 tackles, 4 passes defensed, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and 7 special teams tackles. He earned his second Super Bowl ring when the Ravens defeated the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV at the end of the season. On March 12, 2001, he was released in a salary cap move.[11]

Detroit Lions (second stint)

On May 17, 2001, he was signed by the Detroit Lions to be the team's dime back.[12] He played in 9 games before suffering a broken neck against the Green Bay Packers that ended his career.[13]

Personal life

Bailey works in the sports marketing business as President of Rosenhaus Sports. ESPN broadcaster Chris Berman once nicknamed him "Beetle" after the comic strip character.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Bailey Trying to Take Cornerback Job by Storm". Los Angeles Times. August 2, 1991. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  2. ^ "1991 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  3. ^ "Bailey Eager to Take On NFL Again". Los Angeles Times. May 23, 1992. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Connolly, Marc (October 5, 2001). "Getting Crazy with ... Lions DB Robert Bailey". ESPN. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  5. ^ Cariello, Dave (May 28, 2016). "Saints Give up Longest Punt Return in NFL History in Typical Saints Fashion". Canal Street Chronicles. SB Nation. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  6. ^ "Redskins Add Truitt, Cut Bailey, C. Smith". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  7. ^ "Former Ram Bailey Signs With Cowboys". Los Angeles Times. October 20, 1995. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  8. ^ "Absence of Lett, Holmes Fuels Drug-Test Speculation". Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  9. ^ "Coleman Goes To Chargers". Archived from the original on November 16, 2013. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  10. ^ Klingaman, Mike (December 21, 2007). "SPORTS Where are they now? -- Robert Bailey". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  11. ^ "Ravens add a big block in Searcy". Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  12. ^ "Transactions". Archived from the original on April 3, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  13. ^ "Watters Displaces Alexander in the Seahawks' Backfield". Los Angeles Times. December 13, 2001. Retrieved February 19, 2016.