Ricky Bell (running back)

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For other people with of the same name, see Ricky Bell.
Ricky Bell
'
Position(s):
Running back		 Jersey #(s):
42
Born: April 8, 1955(1955-04-08)
Houston, Texas
Died: November 28, 1984 (aged 29)
Los Angeles, California
Career Information
Year(s): 1977–1982
NFL Draft: 1977 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1
College: USC
Professional Teams
Career Stats
Rushing Yards     3,063
Average     3.7
Touchdowns     16
Stats at NFL.com
Career Highlights and Awards
  • No notable achievements
College Football Hall of Fame

Ricky Lynn Bell (April 8, 1955 - November 28, 1984) younger brother of recording artist Archie Bell, was a former American professional football player who played running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Diego Chargers from 1977 to 1982. Bell played football collegiately at USC.

Contents

[edit] College career

Bell held the single-game rushing record of 347 yards, set against Washington State University in 1976 as a USC Trojan. He led the nation in rushing as a junior in 1975 with 1,875 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. The pick has been called "gutsy", particularly by Athlon Sports, due to Tony Dorsett being projected as a better back than Bell, and due to the heart disease that shortened his career and eventually his life. 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 on 38 carries scoring 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

[edit] External links

v • d • e
National Football League number one overall Draft picks
Berwanger • Francis • C. Davis • Aldrich • Cafego • Harmon • Dudley • Sinkwich • Bertelli • Trippi • Dancewicz • Fenimore • Gilmer • Bednarik • Hart • Rote • Wade • Babcock • Garrett • Shaw • Glick • Hornung • Hill • Duncan • Cannon • Mason • E. Davis • Baker • Parks • Frederickson • Nobis • Bu. Smith • Yary • Simpson • Bradshaw • Plunkett • Patulski • Matuszak • Jones • Bartkowski • Selmon • Bell • Campbell • Cousineau • B. Sims • Rogers • K. Sims • Elway • Fryar • Br. Smith • Jackson • Testaverde • Bruce • Aikman • George • Maryland • Emtman • Bledsoe • Wilkinson • Carter • Johnson • Pace • P. Manning • Couch • Brown • Vick • Carr • Palmer • E. Manning • A. Smith • Williams • Russell • Long
v • d • e
1977 NFL Draft First Round Selections
Ricky Bell · Tony Dorsett · Eddie Edwards · Marvin Powell · Gary Jeter · Warren Bryant · Joe Campbell · Wilson Whitley · Mike Butler · Gary Green · Morris Towns · Phil Dokes · A. J. Duhe · Steve August · Ted Albrecht · Raymond Clayborn · Robert Jackson · Steve Schindler · Steve Pisarkiewicz · Wilson Faumuina · Robin Cole · Mike Cobb · Bob Brudzinski · Bob Rush · Stanley Morgan · Randy Burke · Tommy Kramer · Ezra Johnson
Draft Years: 70  • 71  • 72  • 73  • 74  • 75  • 76  • 77  • 78  • 79  • 80  • 81  • 82  • 83  • 84  • 85  • 86  • 87  • 88  • 89  • 90  • 91  • 92  • 93  • 94  • 95  • 96  • 97  • 98  • 99  • 00  • 01  • 02  • 03  • 04  • 05  • 06  • 07  • 08
v • d • e
Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-round draft picks
Selmon • Bell • D. Williams • Snell • Green • Farrell • Holmes • Jackson • R. Jones • Testaverde • Gruber • Thomas • McCants • McRae • Curry • Dilfer • Sapp • Brooks • Upshaw • M. Jones • Dunn • Anthony • McFarland • Walker • Clayton • C. Williams • Joseph • Adams • Talib