University of Georgia Athletics
Coming Attraction: Sterling Bailey
November 05, 2015 | Football
A Little Shine Goes A Long Way
By Ashleigh Shay
He's sixth in tackles this season, a leader on the defensive line and has been named captain four times this season alone.
Senior defensive tackle Sterling Bailey has gone above and beyond this season. He almost makes it look easy. It's amazing to think someone who didn't even play in a combined five games their first two years here could make such an impact.
"Those first couple of years, after coming from high school, where I started, and then getting here and not playing and redshirting," said Bailey, "It was tough, and it was really tough honestly. I think those first two years were my tougher years."
It was hard to stay focused. He could see the field, stand on the field, but was unable to play on it. In the beginning Bailey was doubtful but has grown from it.
"Trust me, there's been times during my stay here that I've questioned why I'm staying here? Why aren't I playing? It's been a learning process," said Bailey.
Fortunately he had and still has strong role models in his life that helped him get through those tough few years.
"The older guys always gave me advice about [everything] 'just stick it out, everything happens for a reason,'" said Bailey. "At home I have my parents, my pastors, family and friends. Listening to them and the advice that they gave me, I held on to it. I'm still holding on to it and that's one reason why I've been able to stay the course."
Finally in his third year Bailey was able to show others what he knew he had inside of him. His performance, was not only what he did on the field, but also how his teammates viewed him.
By the time Bailey had gotten on the field, the people in front of him had graduated, leaving a hole to fill in the leadership role of the defensive line.
"Two or three years ago was when it hit me," said Bailey "'Hey I have to become a leader. It's my time to step up and I have to show them I can play, show people that they can trust and believe in me.'"
With 27 tackles this year alone, Bailey has shown that he can be trusted to do his job on the field and be a teammate to believe in. He acknowledges that it was not an easy road to get where he is today, but he knows that he wouldn't be where he is today without those experiences.
"I've met some really great friends, I've learned from my mistakes, the stuff that I did, these past five years, I wouldn't go back and change any of it," said Bailey.
Looking back, he could have given up. He could have lost his focus. And he could have given into the struggle. But he didn't.
"There's a lot I could say to my freshman self," said Bailey. "One thing I would tell myself is keep fighting. Don't give up. We all go through struggles in life and just because you're going through it doesn't mean you have to go through it alone. Hold on and have someone you can depend on to be there for you whenever you're going through a gray area in your life."
Like Bailey, silver gets a little tarnished sometimes. But when you rub a little harder, give a little more effort and don't give up, it becomes Sterling again.
Ashleigh Shay is a junior from Wall, N.J., who is majoring in public relations, with a communications studies minor, and also is pursuing a sports media certificate from UGA's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. She is in her second year as a student assistant with the UGA Sports Communications office.
"Coming Attractions" is a weekly feature published on georgiadogs.com spotlighting a UGA student-athlete who will be competing in a key home event during the upcoming weekend. Previous stories from this year include:
August 27 - Jasmine Eaton (volleyball in the Benson Hospitality Invitational)
September 3 - Sydney Shultis (soccer vs. Clemson)
September 10 - Liliana Rios (soccer vs. South Carolina)
September 17 - Isaiah McKenzie (football vs. South Carolina)
September 24 - Mariel Gutierrez (soccer vs. Arkansas & Texas A&M)
October 1 - John Atkins (football vs. Alabama)
October 8 - Matias Koski (swimming & diving vs. North Carolina)
October 15 - Megan Spencer (volleyball vs. Missouri)
October 22 - Caroline Brinson (women's tennis in ITA Regionals)
October 29 - Kendall Kazor (volleyball vs. Florida)
