The Bay Area Panthers have added the ability to stretch an opponents' defense with the signing of former Morgan State wide receiver Manasseh Bailey.

"Manasseh is an explosive, game breaking talent that has elite top-end speed," said Bay Area Head Coach Rob Keefe.  "His ability to take the top off the defense coupled with his catch and run ability make him a weapon for our offense on every play."

Bailey moves to the tight spaces of the indoor game following a stint in the wide-open spaces of the Canadian Football League's Winnipeg Blue Bombers.  The CFL experience preceded his time in the XFL with the DC Defenders.  He moves to a new league with warmer temperatures. 

"The sun brings out the best in me.  I hate the dark, gloomy weather," said Bailey.  "Being able to run any time of the day and throw on some shorts and T-shirt.  I'll be in love."

As a senior at Morgan State, Bailey had 54 catches for almost 1,000 yards to rank second on the school's single-season list.  He also averaged an eye-popping 18 yards a catch with 10 touchdowns.

The Philadelphia Eagles noticed Bailey's ability to stretch the field and signed him as an undrafted free agent in April 2020.  Bailey was in the mix to make the team until the final roster cuts.

The stint with the Eagles began a pro journey that continued with the Jets and Chargers of the NFL before moving on to three other leagues with stops in Montreal, Birmingham, DC and Winnipeg.  The most eye-opening experience was a four-day pit-stop with the Chargers' practice squad who released Bailey to create a roster spot for a kicker. 

 "That resilience comes from my family to go out and not let anything stop us," said Bailey.  "With all those teams I've been on, I don't want that to be the last time they hear my name.  I always want to embrace every opportunity that is given to me and get out there to do my thing."

Bailey perseveres to be an example to those he loves.  He has a fiancé and a young son to provide an example of what is possible. 

"He brings the light out of me.  Just knowing I could be an influence on his life with everything that I've had to go through, with my work ethic to put everything on the line means everything. I want to make sure he knows he could do anything he puts his mind to.," said Bailey.

Opposing scouting reports will make note of Bailey's speed and ability to go deep. But the IFL rookie is confident that he has more to bring to the table.

"Running the deep route has always been my thing to make the catch on the back end," said Bailey.  "But I've been working hard on my intermediate routes.  I'm going to be able to do everything they need me to do on the field."

As for life after football, Bailey aspires to own a construction business.  He's always had an affinity for problem solving and fixing things. 

"In the house, we had three boys and sometimes we would do things like break a doorknob.  It was up to me to fix it before our parents got back and we got in trouble.  It was always on me because I was the older brother," said Bailey.