Hall of Fame
Bell played safety for coach Roy Kidd for three seasons, highlighted his junior season by Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors and first-team All-America recognition from three different organizations.  Bell contributed to the Colonels’ success from the outset of his collegiate career as he started as a freshman in 1999, recording 46 tackles, 16 assists, four caused fumbles and an interception. His sophomore season saw first-team All-OVC honors come his way as he collected 63 tackles, 47 assists and two interceptions. This was a season that also included a monster game where he had 15 solo tackles and five assists in a contest with Tennessee Tech.  Bell’s award-winning junior season included a contest against eventual league champion Eastern Illinois where he had 11 solo tackles, two assists, a fumble recovery, two tackles for loss, two interceptions and a quarterback sack. For the year, he had 61 solo tackles, 25 assists and six interceptions. He was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan award after the 2001 season, which signifies the Defensive Player of the Year.  He was not able to play his senior year because of suffering an injury in the summer prior to the 2002 season.  However, he was drafted in the 6th round of the 2003 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins, which began an illustrious 11-year career in the league.  This stint was highlighted by his 2009 season when he signed a four-year deal and with the Dolphins and he responded with a 114 tackle, three interception season that culminated with an appearance in the Pro Bowl.  Bell was also named to Eastern’s All-Century Team in 2009.  He finished his pro career by playing one season with the New York Jets and one season with the Arizona Cardinals.
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