BY NOAH FLEISCHMAN
C State junior quarter-
back CJ Bailey has be-
co m e a cc u s to m e d to
playing on big stages.
From the time he was 11
with the Miami Gardens
Ravens, the quarterback
has been performing for
sold-out crowds, with thousands flock-
ing to watch him go to work.
From packing a South Florida park
for a youth football battle on a Tuesday
night to filling high school stadiums,
Bailey grew up in the spotlight. His
coach with the Ravens, Rod Mack, said
Bailey's early football experience called
to mind visions of Tiger Woods on the
golf course in his heyday, overflowing
galleries scrutinizing his every move.
"It was something I've never seen be-
fore and will never see again because of
the crowd of people that followed those
kids," Mack said.
Bailey's name has become synony-
mous with winning. It's what he's done
his entire life, helping capture nine youth
national championships and later two
state titles at Chaminade-Madonna
Prep in Hollywood, Fla. Conversations
with those who knew the quarterback
prior to his arrival in Raleigh inevi-
tably end up dwelling on the many
victories. Current NC State senior
safety King Mack is one of those
people, having come from the same
Miami-area youth football system.
"Winning is my favorite memory,"
N
26 ■ THE WOLFPACKER
THE START OF THE START OF
SOMETHING SOMETHING
BIG BIG
CJ Bailey's South Florida Roots Shaped
Him Into The Player He Is Today
