WATCH: Ex-Mississippi State Player Returns From Active Duty, Surprises Family

Mississippi State didn't beat Alabama on Saturday, but it may have had the game's best moment.

During a TV timeout in the first half of Saturday's game at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, former Mississippi State linebacker Tim Bailey ran out onto the field to the surprise of his family. Bailey, who played for the Bulldogs from 2006-08, was returning from active duty.

VIDEO | Former @MSState LB Tim Bailey returns home from active duty and is reunited with his family. Thank YOU Tim! https://t.co/HZUfuqvX86

— MSU Football (@HailStateFB) November 14, 2015

Bailey, who was a junior college transfer from Mississippi Delta Community College, spent a year in Iraq with the Mississippi National Guard from December 2004 to December 2005. A Glen Allan, Mississippi native, Bailey committed to Mississippi State in January 2006 over offers from Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas A&M.

Former Alabama center and assistant coach Sylvester Croom was Bailey's head coach at Mississippi State for all three of his seasons with the Bulldogs.