Former Bears running back Johnny Bailey has died following a battle with pancreatic cancer, a source close to his college football program at Texas A&I told the National Football Post.
Bailey was 43.
The Bears selected Bailey in the ninth round of the 1990 draft after his decorated career at Texas A&I (now known as Texas A&M-Kingsville). He spent two seasons with the team, making one start and rushing for 129 yards and one touchdown. He was primarily used as a return man and made the Pro Bowl the next season with the Phoenix Cardinals, averaging 13.2 yards per return.
Bailey holds the Bears' record for the longest punt return in franchise history. He ran back a punt 95 yards for a touchown as a rookie on Dec. 29, 1990 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Bailey spent two seasons in Phoenix and then finished his career with two seasons with the Rams in 1995.
Bailey is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and was a three-time winner of the Harlon Hill Trophy, given annually to the most outstanding Division II player. He is also in the school's Hall of Fame along with Bears right guard Roberto Garza. Bailey was college football's all-purpose yardage leader (7,803) when his career ended and he was No. 3 on the all-time scoring list with 428 points.
The Bears have a close tie to Texas A&M-Kingsville. Southwest area scout Chris Ballard used to coach there and general manager Jerry Angelo has always scouted the school closely. At one point when Angelo was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Bucs had six Kingsville players on their roster.
Condolences to the friends and family of Bailey.
