Kendrell Bell

Last updated

Kendrell Bell
No. 97, 99
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1978-07-02) July 2, 1978 (age 46)
Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school: Laney (Augusta)
College: Georgia
NFL draft: 2001  / round: 2 / pick: 39
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:338
Sacks:20.5
Forced fumbles:2
Fumble recoveries:2
Interceptions:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Kendrell Alexander Bell (born July 2, 1978) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2001 NFL draft. In his first year with the Steelers, Bell was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. [1] He later played for the Kansas City Chiefs before retiring following the 2007 season.

Contents

Early life

Bell attended Lucy Craft Laney High School in Augusta, Georgia. He was a three-sport star in football, basketball, and track & field. In football, he was an All-State selection and won Atlanta Journal All-South honors. In track & field, he was ranked fifth in the state in the shot put as a senior.

College career

Junior college years

Bell attended Middle Georgia Junior College for two years. He was a two-time Super Prep JUCO 100 selection. As a freshman, he played fullback and finished the season with 689 rushing yards. As a sophomore, he garnered six sacks and 132 tackles, and helped lead his defensive unit to a No.1 ranking in the nation.

NCAA college years

Bell attended the University of Georgia and was a Child and Family Development Major and a letterman in football. In football, he finished his career with 153 tackles (10 for a loss), four interceptions, seven sacks, five forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 1+14 in
(1.86 m)
234 lb
(106 kg)
32 in
(0.81 m)
10+12 in
(0.27 m)
4.62 s1.60 s2.64 s4.50 s7.25 s38.5 in
(0.98 m)
10 ft 4 in
(3.15 m)
24 reps
All values from NFL Combine [2] [3]

Pittsburgh Steelers

Bell started in all sixteen games for the Steelers during his 2001 rookie campaign. Bell would prove to be an excellent fit for the Steelers defense, notably due to his blitzing abilities. The Steelers finished the regular season with a 13–3 record, earning them the top seed in the AFC. Bell was voted the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, having accumulated nine sacks on the season. The Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 27–10 in the AFC Divisional round at Heinz Field. The following week they went on to face the second seeded New England Patriots. Bell recorded eight tackles, a sack, and two passes defended. Despite his stellar performance, and a late 4th quarter comeback, the Steelers wound up losing the game 24–17.

In 2002, Bell was injured in the first week of the season against New England. He missed the next four games before returning to play against the Indianapolis Colts. He finished the season with 50 tackles (33 less from his rookie year), and four sacks. The Steelers finished with a 10–5–1 record and went on to face the Cleveland Browns. In the 36–33 comeback win over the Browns, Bell recorded nine tackles but injured his knee in the final quarter and was listed as doubtful for the following week at Tennessee. He recorded just two tackles in the game versus the Titans before leaving due to injury in the loss. In 2003, Bell amassed 99 tackles and five sacks in a down season for the team. In 2004, knee troubles led to him not starting a single game on his way to making just nine tackles. In the 2005 off-season, the Steelers released him from the team. He signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and played three seasons with them, recording a total of 2.5 sacks.

Kansas City Chiefs

He then signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played 3 seasons. Bell was released following the 2007 season, after which he retired.

NFL career statistics

Legend
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsTDLngPDFFFRYdsTD
2001 PIT 16168269139.023000011000
2002 PIT 12125037134.010000020100
2003 PIT 161610081195.01716106131100
2004 PIT 308620.02000000000
2005 KAN 1614413291.53000000000
2006 KAN 1614494361.07000000000
2007 KAN 1108620.00000000000
90723382746420.56216106162200

Playoffs

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsTDLngPDFFFRYdsTD
2001 PIT 22141221.03000020000
2002 PIT 2111830.02000010000
2006 KAN 100000.00000000000
53252051.05000030000

References

  1. "2001 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  2. "The challenge is real at the Combine". Steelers.com. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  3. "2001 NFL Draft Scout Kendrell Bell College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved July 15, 2023.