Horned Frogs First Person: Emani Bailey
10/2/2023 2:13:00 PM | Football
(as told to Lily Margaret Greenway)
I came to this new place where I was originally uncomfortable, and in the process of overcoming that discomfort, I became a man.
During Christmas Break in 2021, after Louisiana's game, I told my mother I was going to come back home and play for TCU. She was ecstatic, and so was my little brother, Jordyn, who was going to be on the team with me. It's a blessing for us to play on the same field and fulfill a dream we've been talking about since we were little kids. Jordyn and I always say, "nine-four" to each other, and that motivates me more than anything… eventually, I even got it tattooed. The joke behind it is that I didn't choose the number 9… it chose me. Our cousin Jarvis (Moss) played for the Denver Broncos, and my brother and I have always looked up to him. Jarvis wore 94 – so I took 9, and Jordyn took 4.
The first time I set foot on campus, I was shocked by how big it was – there was a lot of walking on that tour! Once I got here, I was surrounded by all of these new faces, and I had to adapt to a very different culture than the one I came from. But I started to grow as a person when I was able to begin building another brotherhood with my team. Being in the same room as Emari (Demercado) and Kendre (Miller) helped me step out of my comfort zone and brought me to the place I am meant to be in right now. I know my role, and I am ready to be that guy.
When I turn to my past, it inspires me to see everything I've done to be exactly where I am now, but I don't believe in taking any steps back. I keep going, even when I'm tired, and I hope to serve as the spokesman for everyone else to keep working hard. I know I am capable of doing anything I put my mind to. I have a strong motivation and belief – I just have to stay focused. A lot of times on the field, I have to stand up to somebody way bigger than I am, but I fight back because I know I have a strength deep inside me to win. Every time I feel like getting discouraged, I think about what my future can hold if I keep pushing.
Ultimately, I transferred to TCU because I knew it was the decision that was best for me and best for my family. I give my all for my mother. I'm a homebody who wants to take care of my family and make my community back in Denton proud. And eventually, I think I'd like to get into music, make some beats and become a rapper!
I know I'm blessed with such a strong brotherhood on our team. There is a humility and trust in knowing I don't go out on the field by myself, but with all my guys beside me. Every day, I'm out there going to war alongside my brothers – with my little brother.
I came to this new place where I was originally uncomfortable, and in the process of overcoming that discomfort, I became a man.
During Christmas Break in 2021, after Louisiana's game, I told my mother I was going to come back home and play for TCU. She was ecstatic, and so was my little brother, Jordyn, who was going to be on the team with me. It's a blessing for us to play on the same field and fulfill a dream we've been talking about since we were little kids. Jordyn and I always say, "nine-four" to each other, and that motivates me more than anything… eventually, I even got it tattooed. The joke behind it is that I didn't choose the number 9… it chose me. Our cousin Jarvis (Moss) played for the Denver Broncos, and my brother and I have always looked up to him. Jarvis wore 94 – so I took 9, and Jordyn took 4.
The first time I set foot on campus, I was shocked by how big it was – there was a lot of walking on that tour! Once I got here, I was surrounded by all of these new faces, and I had to adapt to a very different culture than the one I came from. But I started to grow as a person when I was able to begin building another brotherhood with my team. Being in the same room as Emari (Demercado) and Kendre (Miller) helped me step out of my comfort zone and brought me to the place I am meant to be in right now. I know my role, and I am ready to be that guy.
When I turn to my past, it inspires me to see everything I've done to be exactly where I am now, but I don't believe in taking any steps back. I keep going, even when I'm tired, and I hope to serve as the spokesman for everyone else to keep working hard. I know I am capable of doing anything I put my mind to. I have a strong motivation and belief – I just have to stay focused. A lot of times on the field, I have to stand up to somebody way bigger than I am, but I fight back because I know I have a strength deep inside me to win. Every time I feel like getting discouraged, I think about what my future can hold if I keep pushing.
Ultimately, I transferred to TCU because I knew it was the decision that was best for me and best for my family. I give my all for my mother. I'm a homebody who wants to take care of my family and make my community back in Denton proud. And eventually, I think I'd like to get into music, make some beats and become a rapper!
I know I'm blessed with such a strong brotherhood on our team. There is a humility and trust in knowing I don't go out on the field by myself, but with all my guys beside me. Every day, I'm out there going to war alongside my brothers – with my little brother.
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Tuesday, September 02
Behind the Mic: TCU vs. North Carolina
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Head Coach Sonny Dykes and Players - Weekly Press Conference (at North Carolina)
Wednesday, August 27
