 | |
| Born: | October 12, 1930 Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Died: | January 18, 1998(1998-01-18) (aged 67) Winfield, British Columbia, Canada |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Running back Defensive back Linebacker |
| College | Washington State University |
| NFL draft | 1952, round: 25 / Pick 298 |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1952 | Detroit Lions |
| 1953 | Green Bay Packers |
| 1954–1964 | BC Lions |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Retired #s | BC Lions #38 |
| Career stats | |
Byron Ledare "By"Bailey (October 12, 1930 – January 18, 1998) was an American professionalfootball player, primarily as afullback anddefensive back for theBC Lions of theCanadian Football League (CFL). Born inOmaha, Nebraska, Bailey is a member of theCanadian Football Hall of Fame, theBC Sports Hall of Fame, theB.C. Lions Wall of Fame, and theWashington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. Bailey's #38 jersey is one of eight numbersretired by the B.C. Lions.[1] In 2006, Bailey was voted to the Honour Roll of the CFL's top 50 players of the league's modern era by Canadian sports networkTSN.[2]
Bailey scored the firsttouchdown in the history of the B.C. Lions' franchise, on August 28, 1954, against theWinnipeg Blue Bombers.
Bailey's family moved fromOmaha, Nebraska in the early 1940s toSeattle, Washington, where Bailey played high school football atWest Seattle High School.[3] Following his high school graduation, Bailey playedcollegiately as ahalfback atWashington State University, where he is 5th place all-time for the longestrun fromscrimmage, 84 yards, againstUCLA in a 1949 contest.[3] Bailey was inducted into the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986.[4]
Bailey was drafted by theDetroit Lions in the 25th Round of the 1952 NFL Draft. He played sparingly, but was with the team when they won the1952 NFL Championship game, 17–7, over theCleveland Browns. The following year, Bailey was traded to the then last placeGreen Bay Packers, where he finished the1953 season with 29 yards on 13rushing attempts, and 8pass receptions for 119 yards.
Unhappy with his playing time inGreen Bay, Bailey, recruited byCFL legend and the firsthead coach of theB.C. LionsAnnis Stukus, joined the Lions for theirinaugural, 1954 season. Bailey scored the first touchdown in B.C. Lions' history on August 28, 1954, during an 8–6 loss to theWinnipeg Blue Bombers. Bailey also scored the first, winning touchdown in B.C. Lions' history on September 18, 1954, during a 9–4 victory over theCalgary Stampeders.
Bailey was the Lions' leading rusher and offensive captain from 1955 to1960, and twice led theCFL Western Division in kick-off returns.[5] In 1957, Bailey was named to theCFL Western Division All-Star Team as arunning back.[5] That same year, Bailey won the Bobby Bourne Memorial Trophy as the Lions' "Most Popular Player."[5] Bailey was also honored with a "By Bailey Night" by the Lions during the1960 season, the first player to receive such an honor.[6]
Bailey began his career as a fullback in the Lions' double fullback offensive backfield. In1962, when the Lions dropped the double fullback position, Bailey played outsidelinebacker andcornerback. He wore #88 as an offensive player and #38 when on defense.[7]
Bailey retired following the B.C. Lions firstGrey Cup Championship in 1964. Over his 11-year career with the Lions, which covered 158 games, Bailey rushed for 3,643 yards on 783 attempts, and caught 101 passes for 1,161 yards.[6] He was the first B.C. Lion player inducted into theCanadian Football Hall of Fame in 1975, and was inducted into theBC Sports Hall of Fame the same year.[6] In November, 2006, Bailey was voted to the Honour Roll of the CFL's top 50 players of the league's modern era by Canadian sports networkTSN.[2]
Following his retirement from the B.C. Lions in 1964, Bailey worked as an executive with theCrown Zellerbach paper company.[8] His wife of 36 years, Diana, died in 1986. After remarrying in 1989, Bailey moved north ofKelowna,British Columbia near where the Lions would hold their spring training camps.
Bailey died ofcancer at age 67 on January 18, 1998, at his home inWinfield, British Columbia.[8] His funeral was held inVancouver.