Ricky Bell

[edit] Biography

[edit] College career

Bell held the single-game rushing record of 347 yards, set against Washington State University in 1976. He led the nation in rushing as a junior in 1975 with 1,957 yards. Bell was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy as a senior in 1976 to Tony Dorsett after finishing third in the voting in 1975 as a junior. Bell was voted Pac-10 player of the year in 1976.

[edit] NFL career

Bell was the first overall draft choice in the 1977 NFL Draft, selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 1979, Bell enjoyed his finest season, rushing for 1,263 yards and leading the Buccaneers to the NFC Central Division crown. He led the Buccaneers to their first playoff win in franchise history that season by rushing for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Philadelphia Eagles.

[edit] Death

Bell died in 1984 of heart failure caused by dermatomyositis. Mario Van Peebles portrayed the player in the made for television movie, "A Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story," which was based on Bell's illness.

[edit] Honors

• Bell was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
• Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

[edit] Statistics

<stats> Player=Ricky Bell Sport=NFL </stats>

[edit] References

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