Todd Bell
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| Todd Bell | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | November 28, 1958 |
| Place of birth | Middletown, OH |
| Date of death | March 16, 2005 |
| Position(s) | Safety |
| College | Ohio State |
| NFL Draft | 1981 / Round 4 |
| Pro Bowls | 1984 |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 1981-1987 1988-1989 |
Chicago Bears Philadelphia Eagles |
Todd Anthony Bell (November 28, 1958 – March 16, 2005) was a Pro Bowl safety for the Chicago Bears during the early 1980s.
Contents |
[edit] 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 the Ohio State University as a four-year starter at defensive 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 linebacker Jim 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 the Chicago Bears.
[edit] 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 the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football on October 2, 1989, which prematurely ended his career.
[edit] Death
On March 16, 2005, Bell suffered a fatal heart attack while driving his car in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. [1] 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.
[edit] 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 a down to Earth person. 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.
[edit] References
- Hard-hitting ex-Bear Bell dies of heart attack at 47 Brad Biggs, Chicago Sun-Times (March 17, 2005)
- Ex-Buckeye Bell dies at 47 The Cincinnati Post (March 18, 2005)
