Today in Wheeling History: September 15--Russ Bailey, professional football player and surgeon, passes away in Wheeling (1949).
Russell Brooks Bailey, born on October 17, 1897, in Weston, West Virginia, was a notable professional American football player and surgeon. He attended Weston High School before enrolling at West Virginia University (WVU) in 1915, where he played as a center for the Mountaineers football team. Bailey was a standout player, earning All-American honors in 1917 and 1919, and serving as team captain in 1917. After graduating from WVU, he pursued a medical degree at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, where he earned his doctorate.
Bailey's professional football career began with the Akron Pros in 1920, where he played as the starting center. The team went undefeated that season, winning the first-ever NFL championship. After retiring from football in 1921, Bailey moved to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he established a successful career as a surgeon. He served as chairman of the West Virginia Cancer Society, president of the West Virginia State Medical Association, chairman of the West Virginia Board of Health, and director of the American Cancer Society. Bailey passed away on September 15, 1949, after collapsing on a golf course in Wheeling. He was buried in Lewis County Memorial Gardens in Weston, West Virginia. Bailey was posthumously inducted into the West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/3dme4c26), WVU Sports Hall of Fame (https://tinyurl.com/3mpv2mye)
Photo credits: Wheeling Intelligencer, WVU Sports Hall of Fame, Find a Grave
Russell Brooks Bailey, born on October 17, 1897, in Weston, West Virginia, was a notable professional American football player and surgeon. He attended Weston High School before enrolling at West Virginia University (WVU) in 1915, where he played as a center for the Mountaineers football team. Bailey was a standout player, earning All-American honors in 1917 and 1919, and serving as team captain in 1917. After graduating from WVU, he pursued a medical degree at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, where he earned his doctorate.
Bailey's professional football career began with the Akron Pros in 1920, where he played as the starting center. The team went undefeated that season, winning the first-ever NFL championship. After retiring from football in 1921, Bailey moved to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he established a successful career as a surgeon. He served as chairman of the West Virginia Cancer Society, president of the West Virginia State Medical Association, chairman of the West Virginia Board of Health, and director of the American Cancer Society. Bailey passed away on September 15, 1949, after collapsing on a golf course in Wheeling. He was buried in Lewis County Memorial Gardens in Weston, West Virginia. Bailey was posthumously inducted into the West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/3dme4c26), WVU Sports Hall of Fame (https://tinyurl.com/3mpv2mye)
Photo credits: Wheeling Intelligencer, WVU Sports Hall of Fame, Find a Grave
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