Ex-football great Johnny Bailey dies in Houston
Posted: 08.20.2010 at 3:09 PM
Johnny Bailey file photo
Photo

HOUSTON (AP) - Johnny Bailey, a College Football Hall of Fame member and former NFL Pro Bowl return man, has died in Houston from pancreatic cancer. He was 43.

Texas A&M-Kingsville, which announced his death Friday, said Bailey was the most honored collegiate football player in history when he attended the school from 1986 through 1989, then known as Texas A&I University. Bailey was a thorn in the side of West Texas State University when the Buffaloes dropped from 1A to D2 and joined the Lone Star Conference.

Bailey played six seasons in the NFL after he was drafted to the Chicago Bears in the ninth round in 1990. He holds the team's record for the longest punt return ever when as a rookie he took a punt 95 yards for a touchdown.

In college, Bailey was the only second back to rush more than 6,000 yards in a career.

Funeral arrangements are pending for Bailey, who starred at Houston Yates High School.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)