Former Prairie View A&M college football player Jackson Bailey has died at the age of 22, the school announced on Tuesday.
Bailey, who began his college career at Arizona before transferring to Louisiana-Monroe, was on Prairie View’s roster for the 2023-24 season.
In a statement on the athletic department’s website, the school did not disclose a cause of death for Bailey.
‘The Prairie View A&M University Department of Athletics extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, teammates, and fraternity brothers of Jackson ‘Jacks’ Bailey, a cherished member of the Panther football program and the PVAMU community,’ the statement began.
‘Jackson joined the football team for the 2023–24 season. Although he did not appear in any official games, his presence and energy were felt deeply within the locker room and across campus. A proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. – Zeta Beta Chapter, Jackson exemplified brotherhood, resilience, and purpose.
The statement went on to say that Bailey ‘brought a light-hearted and grounded spirit to everything’ before touching on his faith.
Jackson Bailey has died at the age of 22, Prairie View A&M announced earlier this week
Bailey enjoyed his best college season for the University of Louisana-Monroe
‘His favorite words to live by were: ‘God got me.’ These words guided his path on and off the field.’
The statement from the school said that Jackson dreamed of becoming an NFL player or physical therapist, and said he enjoyed cooking, playing video games and his ‘hidden talent’ of playing the piano.
Bailey is survived by his parents Debbie and Byron, as well as his brothers Taylor and Kebron.
The former Red Oak High School linebacker saw his most collegiate success at Lousiana-Monroe, where – after redshirting in 2021 – he played eight games the following season.
He would go on to rack up 14 total tackles in 2022 before ultimately joining Prairie View.
‘He chose Prairie View A&M [which is located in Texas] to be closer to home, and in doing so, became an unforgettable part of our campus family. Though his time at PVAMU was brief, the impact he made will resonate for years to come,’ the statement continued.
‘We honor and remember Jackson ‘Jacks’ Bailey not only for his potential and promise but for the way he lived—with purpose, humor, humility, and heart.
‘Rest in peace, Jacks. You will always be part of the Panther family.’
