2022 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Bailey Flint, P, University of Toledo

• Name: Bailey Flint
• Position: P
• College: The University of Toledo
• Height: 6’4″
• Weight: 220 lbs
• Twitter: @baileyflint4
• Instagram: @flinley

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

Growing up I played for a local club team because my mates were playing back in Australia, I only played for a few months then got an opportunity to play for Australia in the Down Under Bowl against Americans and from there I got an opportunity to go to Utah for boarding school. I was hooked and over time I went from playing corner at 180lb in Australia to right tackle in Utah at 260, back down to college as a punter at 225.

Those experiences initially and the people around me is what made me love the sport, the ultimate team game no matter where you are on the team.

What sets you apart from other punters?

I think that I am special because of my unconventional introduction to the sport and my ability to see past the often stigmatized position of people a specialist. I was a team captain at Toledo and do any and everything to help those around me because their success equates to mine also as this is the ultimate team game.

How are you planning to prepare for the draft?

I have been working a little unconventionally to most, I am out in California working with some people out here that I have met over the years while also the meat of my training program is being created by my friend and mentor back in Australia. I’m following a strict, food, sleep and training regime while living with a host family that has taken me in over the years. Being in a comfortable environment while putting my body through hard training has been a blessing for recovery.

What do you think are the keys to success on the football field?

For anyone in this sport no matter the position the key to success is being the most selfish player on the team. Sounds funny right? If you become so selfish in your path to being the best that you can be, the only people that does nothing for is those on the other teams. “Do your one eleventh”.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

Ray Guy, I got to meet him one time down in Mississippi and he was a very funny guy, but he is getting old now and I would have loved to see him back in the day booming those punts!

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

I have a couple, winning the MAC in 2017 and my 2 times going to the Bahamas for a bowl game. Those events are amazing but my favorite memory was, as weird as it might seem, my injury in 2019. I was having an amazing year and everything was so bright for me and I began to get complacent in my preparation unfortunately I was humbled fast from a freak accident not even during the punt! This took me to a dark place but one I have never been before and I say this is a favorite memory because I can forever look back to how I was and how I felt and see how I am now and how far I have come! I proved to myself I can do anything!

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

Over the years football has taught me to adapt to the events and environment you are facing, this is even more true during the game itself. If I were to have a bad punt I need to be able to shake it off right away because there will be another opportunity. Not only for me but if others have a bad play you have to try and get their mind back on track and that is difficult because some people can only be spoken to a certain way. By creating deep interpersonal relationships with teammates prior to the games you become able to bring them out of a rut during the game but this has been a hard task to understand.

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

My goals are to play football professionally, I want to be given an opportunity at a place that believes in me and allows me to pour myself into the organization so that I can make an impact on not only that team but also the community it surrounds.

If there was a billboard with 5 of your traits on it which 5 traits would be up there?

It would have to be: resilient, creative, disciplined, loyal and optimistic.

What would a team get in a player like you?

You would be getting a player who is committed to the success of every person in the building. One that won’t stop trying to get better each day and who will be there for the team when the team needs him.

What type of energy do you bring onto the football field?

As a punter, every play is a game changing play. Being able to foster those moments and change the swing of the game after an unsuccessful offensive drive can be huge. Sideline presence is something I’m big on and always have been, I’ll congratulate the guys on good plays but also try to help those who need help after the bad.

What should we know about Bailey Flint the person?

I would just say that all you need to know about me as a person is that I am what I need to be, when I need to be it. “Tough times don’t last, only tough people do”.