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April 25, 2019

Mini Camp Report | Rasheed Bailey a Standout

Winnipeg Blue Bombers wide receiver Rasheed Bailey (3) catches a pass in front of defensive back Mykkele Thompson (27) during a team mini-camp at IMG Academy in Bradenton Florida on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. Photo by Tom O'Neill

BRADENTON, FL – He speaks with power and conviction. And in that sense, Rasheed Bailey has the ability to draw you in and make you listen.

His is a powerful message, after all, from growing up on the tough streets of Philadelphia to working his way onto the radar of National Football League teams all the way from Division III Delaware Valley University.

That back story is part of what made Bailey such a compelling prospect heading into Winnipeg Blue Bombers mini-camp here at IMG Academy. But it’s what he did over three practice sessions that really resonated with the people that matter most in the right here and now: the club’s coaches, scouts and management.

“I felt like I left it all out here,” said Bailey. “I felt like today, though, the ‘Waggle’ caught up to me. We did it (on Wednesday) and your body starts to get used to it, but your body also starts to feel the pain and it’s like, ‘Oh, man… this is different.’

“But it was a great experience. Winnipeg is a great organization and all of the coaches are on one accord. It seems pretty cool. (Wednesday) I was in a zone. I take pride on being consistent and I take pride in trying to be the best guy out here.”

“He didn’t make a mistake. He did everything right,” Bombers offensive coordinator Paul LaPolice said of Bailey. “Every rep he ran at 100 miles per hour, he caught almost every ball thrown to him. You always talk to these guys about having staying power. You can’t be great Day 1 and average Day 2, great Day 3, average Day… you have to be great every day and every rep he had he did very well.

“He’s got good speed and picked up the waggle right away. He had a good camp.”

Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back Travon Blanchard (42), left, defends wide receiver Rasheed Bailey (3) during at team mini -camp at IMG Academy in Bradenton Florida on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. | Photo: Tom O’Neill

Bailey left tiny Delaware Valley University as the school’s all-time leader in receiving yardage, and parlayed that into looks from the Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Diego Chargers, a second stint with the Eagles, the Cleveland Browns, and most recently, the Carolina Panthers.

“I was in Carolina for almost a year,” he said. “One of the greatest experiences I’ve ever been around. I was living with Torrey Smith, I was always around Cam (Newton), who was teaching me to be a better man. That experience taught me, ‘Just be you, no matter what.’ Being around Cam, he’s a guy who is himself and he brought that out of me and that was a great experience.”

It was during Thursday’s conversation with Bailey that his passion not just for the game, but for life, became evident with every word that came out of his mouth.
During his college days, Bailey decided to use all his life experiences in a way to deliver a positive message to school kids, to other athletes, to anyone who is willing to listen.

“I’ve been speaking for a very long time,” he said. “I was a team captain in college and I was always a guy who was willing to speak up when it was needed, to give whatever spark we needed to get that edge. I trained with a guy in Philly and he said ‘Listen ’Sheed, you have a gift inside of you.’ My mom says it to me all the time as well… ‘Something’s inside of you that you just really need to share with the world.’ Whatever chance I get, I do that.

“These past few months I’ve been trying to be more than just an athlete. I’ve been trying to inspire kids all over the world. I really believe the words I have to say, the things I’ve been through in my life, are going to change somebody’s world. If I can give that inspiration or that motivation to a kid, to an adult, to anybody, I want to do it. Listen, you can overcome anything. Every challenge that is put in front of me is put in front of me so I can tell a story.

“It’s been a long journey and every instance, every stint I’ve had with a team I’ve learned something more about myself. It’s been a great journey. At this point it doesn’t really matter what they decide to do,” Bailey added. “I’m here, I’m building character, I’m building something in me that’s way bigger than just football.”