East-West Football: Bailey was in, out, then back in

By Ronnie Gallagher

rgallagher@salisburypost.com

GREENSBORO — The most excitement for A.L. Brown’s Tavis Bailey didn’t come during Wednesday night’s East-West All-Star game.

It came before.

Bailey was one of Jim Ruark’s first selections when the rosters were announced. But Bailey found he had a labrum tear in his left shoulder.

One doctor told him not to play. He needed surgery. An unhappy Bailey had to relay the message to Ruark. He couldn’t participate.

Bailey’s mom wanted a second opinion. Another doctor said it would be OK to play. A happy Bailey relayed that message to Ruark.

“I had to tell him we already extended an opportunity to someone else,” Ruark said.

But all-star games always have players dropping off at the last minute. And when one did, Ruark needed a late addition.

Who to call? That was a no-brainer.

“Tavis was one of our first picks to begin with,” Ruark said.

“I was sitting on the couch with my girlfriend,” Bailey remembered, “and Coach said, ‘They want you to play.’ I was super-excited again.”

So the A.L. Brown offensive lineman was in, then, out, then back in.

He was also in the starting lineup during the West’s 22-7 win against the East.

Bailey joins a long list of Wonders who have played in the East-West game. Winning and producing great players are normal in Kannapolis

“It feels good to look back and see the people from my school who have played in it,” he said. “There’s some good leadership down there. Some elite players have come out of the school.”

Bailey is among them now. He is headed to Lenoir-Rhyne, where several future Bear teammates were also in the game. He thinks this recruiting class can help L-R become a contender.

“I’m sure we’re going to be on the upward curve next year,” Bailey said.

Bailey wants to continue track at L-R. In high school, he was a top thrower in the shot and discus.

“I’d like to try out for the 2016 Olympics,” he said.

But right now, it’s football. And Bailey is looking forward to playing in Fred Goldsmith’s triple option attack at L-R.

“He’s older and he has a history,” Bailey said of Goldsmith. “He has been around so whatever he tells us is exactly right.”

As far as the shoulder?

“It’s not a severe labrum tear,” he said. “I can still bench and clean. Everything’s pretty normal.”

Things were normal on Wednesday night, too. Tavis Bailey started a football game and as most A.L. Brown Wonders, his team won.