Bobby Bell

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Bell was born on June 17, 1940, in Shelby, North Carolina. At age six, he was rescued from a house fire by his mother, Zannie Lee Bell. He excelled in sports at Cleveland High School, playing six-man football as a halfback and later 11-man football as a quarterback, earning All-State honors at both positions. He attended the University of Minnesota, where he was originally a quarterback but switched to the defensive line. He was a two-time first-team All-American (1961 and 1962), won the 1962 Outland Trophy, and finished third in Heisman Trophy voting. Bell played in the 1963 Chicago College All-Star Game, where the college team upset the NFL champion Green Bay Packers.

In Their Own Story

The defining moment of Bell's career arrived in the 1969 AFL divisional playoff game against the New York Jets. In a critical goal-line stand, Bell dropped into coverage on running back Matt Snell, stopping what would have been a touchdown and forcing a field goal. Jets quarterback Joe Namath was stunned by the coverage, admitting it would have otherwise secured a Jets victory. The 13–6 win propelled Kansas City to its first Super Bowl triumph. Later that season against Denver, Bell recovered an onside kick and returned it 53 yards for a touchdown, showcasing his explosive speed. Bell played left side linebacker in Stram's "stack defense," racking up 40 career quarterback sacks, though records suggest he might have had more had he played the right side where blitzes were more common. He scored nine career touchdowns: six on interceptions (tied with Derrick Brooks for the most by a linebacker), two on fumble recoveries, and one on an onside kickoff return. His versatility was legendary; coach Hank Stram noted in Bell's Hall of Fame induction speech that he "could play all 22 positions on the field, and play them well." Bell served as long snapper for the Chiefs, with All-Time Team punter Jerrel Wilson calling him the greatest long snapper in football history. He played alongside middle linebacker Willie Lanier and Jim Lynch to form one of the all-time linebacker trios.

Reader's Guide

Bell was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round (16th overall) of the NFL draft and by the Kansas City Chiefs in the seventh round of the AFL draft. He chose the Chiefs, signing a no-cut guaranteed contract. He played defensive end in his rookie season of 1963. In 1964, he was All-AFL as a defensive end. In 1965, coach Hank Stram moved Bell to outside linebacker. Bell was selected first-team All-AFL or All-NFL as a linebacker every year from 1965 to 1971. He was an AFL All-Star from 1964 through 1969 and an NFL Pro Bowler from 1970 through 1973. He was AFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1969. He never missed a regular season game, playing in 168. He scored nine touchdowns in his career: six off interceptions, two off fumble recoveries, and one off an onside kickoff return. He also played long snapper for the Chiefs.

Did You Know?

• Bell finished third in Heisman Trophy voting in 1962.
• Bell played defensive end in his rookie season of 1963, not starting in 1964.
• Bell was one of the first black outside linebackers in professional football.
• Bell recovered an onside kick and returned it 53 yards for a touchdown in a regular-season game against Denver.
• Bell was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity at the University of Minnesota.