- Todd Bell
NFL player
DateOfBirth=birth date|1958|11|28|mf=y
Birthplace=Middletown, OH
DateOfDeath=March 16 ,2005
Position=Safety,Linebacker
number=25, 49, 52
College=Ohio State
DraftedYear=1981
DraftedRound=4 / Pick 95
DatabaseFootball=BELLTOD01
PFR=BellTo00
Awards=
Records
years=1981-1987
1988-1989
teams=Chicago Bears Philadelphia Eagles
ProBowls=1984
HOF=Todd Anthony Bell (
November 28 ,1958 –March 16 ,2005 ) was anAmerican football safety in the NFL for theChicago Bears during the early 1980s.College
After graduating from Middletown High School, in
Middletown, Ohio as a very highly recruited and standout ball player, Bell went on to play for theOhio State University as a four-year starter atdefensive back . He played as a roverback, a hybrid of the strong safety and linebacker positions. His best remembered moment at Ohio State was a game-winning touchdown in his junior year against rival Michigan on November 17, 1979. When Ohio State linebackerJim Laughlin blocked a punt by Michigan's Brian Virgil, Bell scooped up the football and ran it in 18 yards and a final score of 18-15. This play sent Ohio State to the 1980 Rose Bowl and a shot at that year's national championship.Bell was selected in the fourth round of the
1981 NFL Draft by theChicago Bears .NFL career
He played with the team from 1981 to 1984, earning a Pro Bowl nomination in his fourth year. Bell was known on the team for his hits on opposing team players, and for his off-the-field reputation as a prankster. Bell sat out the entire 1985 season due to a contract dispute with the team - and missed being part of one of the most dominating Super Bowl teams of all time. His replacement,
Dave Duerson , also went on to be selected for the Pro Bowl that year.Bell returned in 1986, but a hamstring injury and the contract dispute still lingered over his tenure with the Bears, and he signed a free agent contract with the
Philadelphia Eagles in the off-season in 1988. He played two years with the Eagles before he broke his leg in a 31-13 loss to theChicago Bears onMonday Night Football on October 2, 1989, which prematurely ended his career.Death
On
March 16 ,2005 , Bell suffered a fatal heart attack while driving his car inReynoldsburg, Ohio . [http://www.nfl.com/news/story/8298636] He was 47. His wife Daphne now speaks to people on learning how to detect if they are at risk of having a heart attack.Todd Anthony Bell National Resource Center on the African American Male
In 1997 Todd Bell returned to The Ohio State University to accept a position as Coordinator of the Minority Continuing Education Opportunities Program in the Office of Continuing Education, then lodged in University College. There he worked with Dean Mac Stewart to give leadership to outreach with the central Ohio community. He fostered cooperation with local businesses to provide funding for their employees to start or return to college studies at OSU. He also worked with the personnel of local Boys & Girls Clubs to develop joint ventures to improve the environment of the neighborhoods near the central campus. In 2001 he moved to the Office of Minority Affairs where he coordinated a broad range of community-university programs. Notably, on campus he gave initial leadership to the development of the Black Male Initiative to improve the campus environment, academic achievement, and leadership development of African American males at The Ohio State University and he was part of the team that developed the African American Male Resource Center. When Todd passed away in 2005, the center was renamed to The Todd Anthony Bell National Resource Center on the African American Male to honor his work at the university and with African American male students.
Facts and Triva
*He was a
Sunday School teacher after his retirement but never mentioned to his students that he was a former football player. His students referred to him as "Mr. Todd". He was also featured on the Tecmo Bowl video game.*He was three time Ohio State Champion in long jump. He broke the 44 years old state record at that event in 1977. The previous state record holder in that event was
Jesse Owens .References
* [http://www.suntimes.com/output/bears/cst-spt-todd17.html Hard-hitting ex-Bear Bell dies of heart attack at 47] Brad Biggs, Chicago Sun-Times (March 17, 2005)
*cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-130570987.html|title=Ex-Buckeye Bell dies at 47|work=The Cincinnati Post |publisher=E. W. Scripps Company |date=2005-03-18|page=B2
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