After serving as an Army Ranger, Bailey Smith steps back into football
Standing in the north end zone of Kelly/Shorts Stadium on the 20th anniversary of one of the United States biggest tragedies, Bailey Smith proudly held the American flag in his right hand.
His father, Michael Bailey Smith, stood by himself in the front row of the bleachers wearing a blue hoodie.
It was Michael's first time in the stadium, traveling all the way from Texas to see this moment while his wife, Lisa, was in California watching their other son, Hunter, play at College of the Canyons. Michael wasn't missing what came next.
As Bailey lead Central Michigan onto the field in its home opener and first game with fans in nearly two years, Michael swelled with pride.
"A few months ago he was an Army Ranger," Michael said. "Now, he's a quarterback at Central Michigan, one of the top schools in the Mid-American Conference. I mean, how blessed are we to have that happen."
Bailey's Saturdays used to look a lot different. In 2016, he was battling to be Coffeyville Community College's starting quarterback. After spring ball in Kansas it was off to the military, where he did four tours of duty as an Army Ranger.
Committing to family
To understand Bailey's decision, one must understand the importance placed on commitment and service in his family.
His family line shows two paths: football and service. Michael played college football as an offensive lineman at Eastern Michigan and received a training camp opportunity with the Dallas Cowboys. But first, he served his country as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne.
His stint with the Cowboys ended after a week when he blew out his knee. The injury led him back to EMU, where he finished his degree in computer-aided design. After that, it was off to a cubicle for the rest of his life -- until it wasn’t.
Michael earned a chance to audition for a role in "A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child," a role that kickstarted his acting career that has earned him just over 100 acting credits.
But this lifestyle meant time on the road away from his family. Lisa was okay with work calling Michael for four-to-five months at a time, but he yearned for time with his sons.
“He was gone a lot, but when he was home, it was like a flip of a switch," Bailey said. "He was always involved in the family, like 24/7, when he was home, which was never really an issue for me at all. I don’t hold anything against him at all, it was his job.”
Eventually, Michael decided to “quasi-retire” and came home to coach Bailey and Hunter on the football field.
“You’ve gotta make a decision sometimes on what you’re gonna sacrifice,” Michael said. “Am I gonna sacrifice my career or am I gonna sacrifice my family? I chose my family, big time, because it affects two young boys you’re trying to raise, right? And if you don’t have a father, a good strong household, it can be tough on them. I wanted to be involved with them.
"My father was instrumental in my life, and I wanted to be the same for them.”
'Show how great you are'
Bailey played for his dad through eighth grade. He was the starting quarterback at Valencia High School his freshman and sophomore years, taking snaps until he suffered a knee injury at the end of his second year.
His injury was misdiagnosed, setting back his rehabilitation. Smith tasted playing time as a junior but did not play as a senior. His dream failed to waiver: He wanted to play college football, just like his father.
Working with a pair of acclaimed quarterback coaches in Ron Jenkins and Ryan Roberts, Bailey found his way to Coffeyville Community College. He walked into a loaded quarterback room and proceeded to assert himself.
Bailey was battling for the starting spot with over a half-dozen other options.
"He got there, and there were like eight (quarterbacks), and they just packed it. All these D1 bounce-backs and things like that," Michael said. "But after the first scrimmage, he was fighting for the first string spot.”
Following spring camp, Bailey knew it was time to answer his calling. He told his father he wanted to serve his country. His route would be slightly different. He wanted to be an Army Ranger.
As Bailey set off on this next journey, his father offered him advice: Step up, don't watch.
"When you get in the military, you’re gonna have people that just wanna get by," Michael said. "Don’t be that. Be that person that’s gonna step up. Be a leader. Step up, take control, take charge and show how great you are.”
Bailey aced basic and advanced training before heading to the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, where he was assigned to the First Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.
As Bailey was serving, his parents were left to ponder. Though his father knew he was excelling, the uncertainty of what he was doing and where he’d be was tough to navigate.
“As parents, my wife and I would get called in the middle of the night, ‘Hey I’ve gotta go somewhere,' and he'd disappear for a couple weeks,” Michael said. “Wouldn’t know where he’s at. Those times are tough as a parent.”
Bailey served for three-and-a-half years, doing one tour of duty. When the window for reenlistment was opened, Smith seemed content doing so. A 'Turkey Bowl' game with members of his regiment reignited his love for football and changed his next step.
“I felt like it was a better decision for me to pursue (football),” Bailey said. “I’m a lot more mature now and I know just how far you can push yourself mentally to accomplish what you want.
"So I just said screw it, I’m gonna see how far I can go with this.”
Back in the game
Upon getting out of service, Bailey reconnected with Roberts. Together, the two of them compiled a workout film and sent it to every FBS and FCS coach in the country.
Bailey warranted interest from Fresno State, Hawaii and CMU, but a meeting with John Leister, CMU football’s head of high school relations, created a connection that sold Smith on the Chippewas.
“(Leister’s) dad put in 40 years as a colonel in the army and things like that,” Michael said. “So that’s one thing that coach Leister and Bailey really have in common with each other. They have that military mindset to a certain extent.”
When the preferred walk-on offer was officially extended, the Smith family was elated. After everything Bailey had contributed to his family and his country, he was able to go back and chase his gridiron dreams once more.
“Bailey doesn’t smile a lot, but when he does, it’s pretty cool," Michael said. "When coach Leister called him and told him, ‘Hey, we want to offer you a preferred walk-on spot,’ I’ve never seen him smile bigger in my entire life.”
Sprinting from the north end zone to the south, Bailey extended his right arm until the flag he held was flying high in the wind.
But Bailey didn't just lead the team out in its home opener -- he got in the game.
With the Chippewas leading 45-0, Bailey entered at quarterback on the final possession.
"I'm an old tough dude, and I had tears in my eyes," Michael said. "The people around me knew who he was and knew who I was in relation to him, and they were all happy for me. But for me, I was bursting with pride and joy and just happy for him."
Bailey played two snaps. Just a sophomore in status, he's viewed as an integral member of the team, as well as an inspiration. There is a heightened level of respect for the veteran.
"I have no right to give up on a man who puts his life, literally put his life on the line for the betterment of the United States," said wide receiver Dallas Dixon. "If he doesn't give up, if he doesn't put his head down, I have no right to do the same. I try to follow his lead in that part. He's a real strong man and I love him."
