Q&A: Dan Bailey went from NFL kicker to pilot

Sport Editor

When talking about OSU’s best all-time kickers, it’s hard to leave out Dan Bailey.

Bailey won the 2010 Lou Groza Award, which is given annually to college football’s best placekicker, when he made 27 of 31 field goals and 68 of 70 extra points. He sits fourth at OSU in field goals made (57), sixth in field goal percentage (79.2%), second in points (370), and he made 199 of 201 career extra points. His NFL career (2011-2020) was even better. He played seven seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, then three more with the Minnesota Vikings. His 85.862% career field goal percentage sits 14th in NFL history. The O’Colly caught up with Bailey recently and talked about his time at OSU, his professional career and what he’s up to now.

Q: “What are you up to nowadays?”

Bailey: “I’m living down outside of Fort Worth, and I’m doing a little bit of real estate and then working to build my hours so I can start flying for a living.”

Q: “How’d you get into piloting?”

Bailey: “I’ve always been around it. My grandfather worked for General Dynamics, which is Lockheed now and they’re in Fort Worth. I’ve just always had an interest, and then I got my license when I was playing in Dallas. Just being in being in the community, I’ve got some buddies that fly for a living, and I just want to try it out.”

See Q&A on page 4