Yeremiah Bell

Infobox NFLactive


name=Yeremiah Bell
|width=
caption=
currentteam=Miami Dolphins
currentnumber=37
currentpositionplain=Safety
birthdate=birth date and age|1978|3|3
birthplace=Winchester, Kentucky

heightft=6
heightin=0
weight=200
debutyear=2004
debutteam=Miami Dolphins
college=Eastern Kentucky
draftyear=2003
draftround=6
draftpick=213
pastteams=
* Miami Dolphins (2003-present)
status=Active
highlights=
* College awards and honors
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Tackles
statvalue1=118
statlabel2=Sacks
statvalue2=5.0
statlabel3=INT
statvalue3=1
nfl=BEL639186

Yeremiah Neavius Bell (born March 3, 1978 in Winchester, Kentucky) is an American football safety for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Eastern Kentucky.

Early years

Bell attended George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester, Kentucky, where he was a three-year letterman in football as a defensive back and wide receiver. He Also lettered in basketball as well as in baseball, starting as a senior with future Major League pitcher Matt Ginter.

Bell was not highly recruited while in high school, and without a full scholarship offer he began doing hard labor in a central Kentucky steel mill for $8 per hour.

College career

After two years of working in the steel mill, Bell enrolled at nearby Eastern Kentucky University and attempted to walk-on the football team. Bell made the team, but contemplated quitting during two-a-day practices his freshman year. Eventually Bell would remain on the team and excel in the defensive backfield. In his three year college career Bell was a finalist for the 2001 Buck Buchanan Award as the Division 1-AA Defensive Player of the Year. He was also named a 2001 All-American, two time All-Ohio Valley Conference safety (2000,01), and was the OVC defensive player of the year (2001). Before his senior season in 2002 Bell injured his knee in a pick-up basketball game ending his college career.

Awards and honors

* Eastern Kentucky Defensive Back of the Year (1999)
* 2x All-Ohio Valley Conference (2000, 2001)
* Eastern Kentucky Defensive Most Valuable Player (2000)
* "Associated Press" All-American (2001)
* Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year (2001)

Professional career

2003

Bell was drafted in the sixth round by the Miami Dolphins and signed to the team's practice squad.

2004

Bell played in 13 games recording 10 tackles in primarily a special teams and reserve roll before suffering a broken leg late in the season.

2005

In his first injury free NFL season, Bell played in all 16 games registered 21 tackles, three sacks, an interception, four passes defensed, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. He finished second on the squad with 14 stops on special teams, where he also recovered a fumble. The initial interception of his NFL career came vs. New England (11/13) when he picked off a Tom Brady pass in the fourth quarter, leading to a Dolphins touchdown six plays later.

2006

Bell earned a starting spot in Dolphins secondary. In his first season as a starter Bell has recorded 62 tackles, 2 sacks, and 11 passes defended. Dolphins defensive standout Jason Taylor said of Bell, ""The guy just makes plays, no matter if it's special teams, defense or whatever. He always makes plays for us."

2007

In 2007 Bell was a restricted free agent and he signed a tender that he received from the Dolphins. Bell was the starter a strong safety but suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the season opener on 9th, September that ended his season. He was placed on injuried reserve on 11th, September. Bell finished the season with 5 tackles.

2008

After the 2007 season Bell became an unrestricted free agent but he didn't receive much interest from other teams because of his torn Achilles tendon. The Dolphins re-signed him to a one-year, 1.4 million dollar contract on the 3rd, March.

Personal

Bell has a daughter, Yamia (2000-07-23), and a son, Brayden (2003-12-15).

External links

* [http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/team/roster/playerBio.asp?docid=11093 Miami Dolphins bio]