Rams WR Stedman Bailey hospitalized after being shot shot twice in the head
St. Louis Rams third-year wide receiver Stedman Bailey is in critical but stable condition after being shot in a car in Florida on Tuesday night, the City of Miami Gardens Police Department said Wednesday.
Police did not describe the nature of Bailey's injuries, but a source confirmed to ESPN's Josina Anderson that he was shot twice in the head. A Rams source told ESPN's Nick Wagoner that the team believes Bailey's injuries are not life-threatening.
In a conference call with Bengals reporters Wednesday (the Rams play Cincinnati in Week 12), St. Louis coach Jeff Fisher said he was told that Bailey, 25, was currently in surgery (as of 11:30 a.m. ET).
"All I know is that he's currently in surgery, and I discussed it with the team in the team meeting. We're praying for him. Our hope is that Sted will get back on the field. When we get more information, it'll be publicly disclosed through the organization."
Bailey's cousin, Antwan Reeves, also was shot and was taken into surgery on Tuesday night, according to police, who said two minors also were in the car when another vehicle drove by and fired shots.
Reeves, who was the driver of the vehicle Bailey was in, was shot multiple times while attempting to shield the children in the car from bullets, the source told Anderson, and his wounds are more serious.
The children in the car were unharmed, police said.
Police said the incident took place at 8:45 p.m. at a Miami Gardens residence and they are looking for a light-colored, four-door sedan, which is possibly a Buick Regal.
Bailey's hometown is Miramar, Florida, which is about 7 miles from Miami Gardens.
Fisher said Wednesday that he was aware Bailey was in South Florida.
"I was aware of where he was. I knew he was working out and he was taking care of himself, and he was getting ready to help us win games when his suspension was concluded," he said.
Several of Bailey's Rams teammates took to Twitter to offer their support and asked fans to keep him in their thoughts.
I'm sending you and your fam my wish. #StedStrong
Mr.Pix6Sh*t (@JjenkzLockdown) November 25, 2015
Everyone please pray for one of our brother @iamSB3 And his family!!! Terrible news and may God be with him and his family===O<ÿ#pray4SB
Alec ogletree (@B_easy_uga9) November 25, 2015
I'm praying for my brother @iamSB3 and his family ..God will see this through I know it.. =O<þ
Rodney McLeod (@Rodney_McLeod4) November 25, 2015
Everyone Please Keep Our Brother @iamSB3 In Your Thoughts & Prayers Tonight. Terrible News To Hear
AKEEM AYERS (@Akeem_Ayers) November 25, 2015
Keep our brother @iamSB3 in your thoughts, prayers tonight. I don't wanna believe it....
Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) November 25, 2015
Earlier this month, the NFL suspended Bailey four games for violation of its policy on substance abuse. Because he was suspended, Bailey was not made available to the media, but he took to his Instagram account to post an extended apology in which he referred to his choices as "idiotic" and "disgraceful."
Bailey would have been eligible to return to the active roster Dec. 7.
Bailey also was suspended four games for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances before the 2014 season. That suspension was later reduced to two games after a change in the league's policy.
Bailey, who was the Rams' 2013 third-round pick out of West Virginia, had been the team's third receiver for most of this season but was rarely involved in the offense. He had 12 catches for 182 yards and a touchdown in the first eight games. His touchdown celebration against the Cardinals, in which he pretended to go to sleep in the corner of the end zone with the football as a pillow, drew a fine for using the ball as a prop during a celebration.
St. Louis Rams third-year wide receiver Stedman Bailey is in critical but stable condition after being shot in a car in Florida on Tuesday night, the City of Miami Gardens Police Department said Wednesday.
Police did not describe the nature of Bailey's injuries, but a source confirmed to ESPN's Josina Anderson that he was shot twice in the head. A Rams source told ESPN's Nick Wagoner that the team believes Bailey's injuries are not life-threatening.
In a conference call with Bengals reporters Wednesday (the Rams play Cincinnati in Week 12), St. Louis coach Jeff Fisher said he was told that Bailey, 25, was currently in surgery (as of 11:30 a.m. ET).
"All I know is that he's currently in surgery, and I discussed it with the team in the team meeting. We're praying for him. Our hope is that Sted will get back on the field. When we get more information, it'll be publicly disclosed through the organization."
Bailey's cousin, Antwan Reeves, also was shot and was taken into surgery on Tuesday night, according to police, who said two minors also were in the car when another vehicle drove by and fired shots.
Reeves, who was the driver of the vehicle Bailey was in, was shot multiple times while attempting to shield the children in the car from bullets, the source told Anderson, and his wounds are more serious.
The children in the car were unharmed, police said.
Police said the incident took place at 8:45 p.m. at a Miami Gardens residence and they are looking for a light-colored, four-door sedan, which is possibly a Buick Regal.
Bailey's hometown is Miramar, Florida, which is about 7 miles from Miami Gardens.
Fisher said Wednesday that he was aware Bailey was in South Florida.
"I was aware of where he was. I knew he was working out and he was taking care of himself, and he was getting ready to help us win games when his suspension was concluded," he said.
Several of Bailey's Rams teammates took to Twitter to offer their support and asked fans to keep him in their thoughts.
I'm sending you and your fam my wish. #StedStrong
Mr.Pix6Sh*t (@JjenkzLockdown) November 25, 2015
Everyone please pray for one of our brother @iamSB3 And his family!!! Terrible news and may God be with him and his family===O<ÿ#pray4SB
Alec ogletree (@B_easy_uga9) November 25, 2015
I'm praying for my brother @iamSB3 and his family ..God will see this through I know it.. =O<þ
Rodney McLeod (@Rodney_McLeod4) November 25, 2015
Everyone Please Keep Our Brother @iamSB3 In Your Thoughts & Prayers Tonight. Terrible News To Hear
AKEEM AYERS (@Akeem_Ayers) November 25, 2015
Keep our brother @iamSB3 in your thoughts, prayers tonight. I don't wanna believe it....
Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) November 25, 2015
Earlier this month, the NFL suspended Bailey four games for violation of its policy on substance abuse. Because he was suspended, Bailey was not made available to the media, but he took to his Instagram account to post an extended apology in which he referred to his choices as "idiotic" and "disgraceful."
Bailey would have been eligible to return to the active roster Dec. 7.
Bailey also was suspended four games for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances before the 2014 season. That suspension was later reduced to two games after a change in the league's policy.
Bailey, who was the Rams' 2013 third-round pick out of West Virginia, had been the team's third receiver for most of this season but was rarely involved in the offense. He had 12 catches for 182 yards and a touchdown in the first eight games. His touchdown celebration against the Cardinals, in which he pretended to go to sleep in the corner of the end zone with the football as a pillow, drew a fine for using the ball as a prop during a celebration.
