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The Cincinnati Bengals and St. Louis Rams will play a football game this Sunday, but we've been reminded how precious life is and how football is just a game.
Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey was shot twice in the head on Tuesday night in Miami, according to NFL.com. The report says Bailey was a passenger in a car in Miami Gardens when someone pulled up and began shooting, striking both Bailey and the driver, Bailey's cousin, who was hit several times and has life-threatening injuries. There were children in the car who the driver was trying to shield when hit. The driver was shot many times and his injuries are life-threatening.
The Rams have since issued a statement regarding Bailey, who remains in the hospital in critical but stable condition following the incident.
"We are aware Stedman Bailey was involved in an incident this evening. We have spoken with Stedman and he is in the hospital in critical, but stable, condition. We are gathering facts about the situation and will provide updates as we learn more."
It is worth noting that Bailey has been serving a four-game suspension without pay for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, and wasn't going to be playing on Sunday. Bailey will be eligible to return on December 7, one day after the team plays the Arizona Cardinals. Getting back on the football field is now probably far from his mind, as Bailey and his cousin fight for their lives.
This is a terrible tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with Bailey, his family and friends. The Bengals will likely make some kind of acknowledgment of Bailey before kickoff Sunday. The Rams have also started a #Pray4Stedman movement on Twitter to show support for their wide receiver during this time.