Tatum Bell

Last updated

Tatum Bell
No. 26, 28, 21, 25
Position: Running back
Personal information
Born: (1981-03-02) March 2, 1981 (age 43)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:213 lb (97 kg)
Career information
High school: DeSoto (DeSoto, Texas)
College: Oklahoma State
NFL draft: 2004  / round: 2 / pick: 41
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts:569
Rushing yards:2,773
Receptions:71
Receiving yards:419
Total touchdowns:16
Player stats at PFR

Tatum Antoine Bell (born March 2, 1981) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2004 NFL draft. [1]

Contents

Bell also played for the Detroit Lions and Florida Tuskers.

Early life

Bell was born in Dallas, Texas and grew up in DeSoto, a suburb of Dallas. He is the son of Tony and Terry Bell, and has a younger brother, T.J., and an older sister, Latrice Coleman. He attended DeSoto High School. In high school, he was considered one of the fastest high school players in the nation, he was clocked running 4.34 in the 40-yard dash, and 10.26 seconds over 100 meters.

He was hampered by a hip pointer and sprained ankle as a senior, but still rushed for 1,225 yards and 19 touchdowns. He was also an effective kick and punt returner. In addition to his 19 rushing touchdowns, he had three touchdown passes and returned one kickoff for a touchdown. He was listed as a Top 100 Texas player by First Down Recruiting, PrepStar, the Dallas Morning News and David Garvin. He was a two-time all-district selection at running back.

College career

Bell played for Oklahoma State University from 2000 to 2003, and was a starter for three years, rushing for a total of 4,285 yards. The schools 4th all-time leading rusher. Tatum Bell's Rushing Touchdowns places him 4th all-time in school history with 43.

In 2000, as a true freshman, he made an impact by rushing for 251 yards on just 49 carries. He followed the regular season with an impressive spring during which he showed the new OSU staff he had the ability to run the ball inside. He was OSU's leading rusher in both major spring scrimmages. His spring numbers included 14 carries for 110 yards and three touchdowns in the first scrimmage and 15 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown in the second. Showed most of the country what he was capable of with an incredible long-distance run against Oklahoma in a nationally televised season finale on Lewis Field. Oklahoma State won the services of this highly recruited running back over Nebraska, Texas and Oklahoma. He was a starter for three years, rushing for a total of 4,285 yards.

In 2001, he carried the ball 237 times for 1,052 yards and eight touchdowns. He averaged 87.6 yards per game and almost four and a half yards per carry. Bell eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark twice last season, including a career-high 117 yards against Missouri. He had 102 yards in Oklahoma State's win over Louisiana Tech on Lewis Field. The last four games of the 2001 season were particularly impressive for Bell. Against Colorado, Texas Tech, Baylor and Oklahoma, Bell carried the ball a combined 80 times for 333 yards. That's a four-game average of 83.25 yards per game and 4.16 yards per carry.

In 2002, he carried the ball 215 Times for 1,454 yards and 15 touchdowns.

In 2003; Bell's senior season he rushed for 1,528 on 253 carries including a total of 19 touchdowns.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11 in
(1.80 m)		212 lb
(96 kg)		31+7⁄8 in
(0.81 m)		8+3⁄8 in
(0.21 m)		4.32 s1.52 s2.53 s38.5 in
(0.98 m)		9 ft 11 in
(3.02 m)		25 reps
All values from NFL Combine [2]

Denver Broncos (first stint)

Bell was drafted in the second round with the 41st overall pick in the 2004 NFL draft, after attending Oklahoma State University for four years and finishing 3rd on the school's all-time career rushing yards list. [3] The Broncos originally acquired the pick along with cornerback Champ Bailey in a trade that sent Clinton Portis to the Washington Redskins.

He debuted with the Denver Broncos in 2004, and led all AFC rookie running backs in rushing yards. In 2005 he was the second part of a dual running back system with Mike Anderson and rushed for 921 yards (gaining 5.3 yards per carry) and eight touchdowns. In 2006 Bell rushed for 1,025 yards and two touchdowns. [4]

Detroit Lions

On March 1, 2007, Bell was traded along with George Foster and a draft pick to the Detroit Lions for Dré Bly.

On October 12, 2007, it was revealed that Bell had asked the Lions to trade him earlier in the week, due to the re-emergence of Kevin Jones and his diminished role at tailback. Bell has since told the media that he did not demand a trade, but that he simply was disappointed in his diminishing role on the team. [5]

On March 10, 2008, Bell re-signed with the Lions on a one-year contract. He stated that his goal for the 2008 NFL season was to rush for 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns. However, he was released by the Lions on September 1 after the team signed running back Rudi Johnson. The following day Johnson accused Bell of stealing his luggage. Bell insisted, "it was just an honest mistake." [6]

Denver Broncos (second stint)

Bell signed with the Broncos on November 11, 2008. [7] (He had spent the previous three months working in the T-Mobile store at Town Center at Aurora.) [8] He was not re-signed following the season.

Florida Tuskers

Bell was signed by the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League on September 3, 2009. He wore #25. [9] During the week of November 19 he ran for 365 yards and set a UFL record. He was released on August 24, 2010.

UFL records

NFL career statistics

Legend
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesRushingReceiving
GPGSAttYdsAvgLngTDRecYdsAvgLngTD
2004 DEN 140753965.329358016.0580
2005 DEN 1511739215.3688181045.8140
2006 DEN 13132331,0254.4512241154.8160
2007 DET 55441824.124114634.5150
2008 DEN 73442495.737210575.7120
54225692,7734.96816714195.9580

Playoffs

YearTeamGamesRushingReceiving
GPGSAttYdsAvgLngTDRecYdsAvgLngTD
2004 DEN 1012494.11514328.0140
2005 DEN 2011504.51105285.690
3023994.31519606.7140

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barry Sanders</span> American football player (born 1968)

Barry Sanders is an American former professional football running back who played for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons. Sanders led the league in rushing yards four times and in rushing touchdowns once, establishing himself as one of the most elusive runners in the history of the NFL with his quickness and agility, despite being only 5 ft 8 in tall and weighing 203 lbs. Sanders played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. As a junior in 1988, he compiled what is widely considered the greatest individual season by a running back in college football history, rushing for 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns in 11 games. He won the Heisman Trophy and was unanimously recognized as an All-American.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rudi Johnson</span> American football player (born 1979)

Burudi Ali Johnson is an American former professional football player who was a running back for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL draft.

Quentin LaVell Griffin is a former American football running back.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronnie Brown</span> American football player (born 1981)

Ronnie G. Brown Jr. is an American former professional football running back in the National Football League (NFL). After graduating from Cartersville High School in Georgia, Brown attended Auburn University to play college football for the Auburn Tigers. He and Cadillac Williams shared carries at running back, while he had 1,008 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2002, 446 yards and five touchdowns in 2003, and 913 yards and eight touchdowns in 2004. Brown finished seventh in school history with 2,707 rushing yards and fifth with 28 rushing touchdowns. He twice earned second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors in 2002 and 2004.

Olandis C. Gary is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Denver Broncos from 1999 to 2002 and the Detroit Lions from 2003 to 2004. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamaal Charles</span> American football player (born 1986)

Jamaal RaShaad Jones Charles is an American former professional football running back who played 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Kansas City Chiefs. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns, where he won the 2006 Rose Bowl, and was selected by the Chiefs in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft.

Michael Steven Bell is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) from 2006 to 2010. Bell was signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2006 and later played for the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns. He played college football at Arizona. Bell had several accomplishments throughout his career, including winning Super Bowl XLIV over the Indianapolis Colts as a member of the Saints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Forsett</span> American football player (born 1985)

Justin Forsett is an American former football running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL draft. Forsett also played for the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, and Denver Broncos. Forsett's best season came in 2014 as a member of the Ravens, when he was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate after finishing the season with career highs in carries (235), rushing yards (1,266) and touchdowns (8).

Frank Murphy is a former gridiron football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft. He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeremiah Johnson (gridiron football)</span> American football player (born 1987)

Jeremiah Alex Johnson is a former American gridiron football running back. He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Oregon.

Larry Porter is an American college football coach. He currently serves as special teams coordinator and running backs coach and at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Porter is a former head coach of the Memphis Tigers football team. He was named to the position on November 29, 2009, replacing Tommy West. A former running back for the school when it was known as Memphis State University, Porter was formerly an assistant head coach, chief recruiter, and running backs coach at Louisiana State University under Les Miles. On November 27, 2011, Porter was fired after completing a 2–10 season with only having won three games during his two-year tenure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stevan Ridley</span> American football player (born 1989)

Stevan Todd Ridley is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers and was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft. Ridley was also a member of the New York Jets, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers. With the Patriots, he won Super Bowl XLIX over the Seattle Seahawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devontae Booker</span> American football player (born 1992)

Devontae Booker is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Utah. He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samaje Perine</span> American football player (born 1995)

Samaje Perine is an American professional football running back for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners, and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Mixon</span> American football player (born 1996)

Joseph Tyler Mixon is an American professional football running back for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). Mixon played college football at Oklahoma, where he was a first-team All-Big 12, and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kareem Hunt</span> American football player (born 1995)

Kareem AJ Hunt is an American professional football running back who is a free agent. He played college football for the Toledo Rockets and was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. He was selected to the Pro Bowl as a rookie after leading the NFL in rushing yards but was released during his second season after being recorded physically assaulting a woman, including shoving the woman to the ground and then kicking her. Hunt signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2019 and played five seasons with them.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austin Ekeler</span> American football player (born 1995)

Austin Ekeler is an American professional football running back and return specialist for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Western Colorado Mountaineers, finishing as their all-time leader in rushing yards before signing with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2017. With the Chargers, Ekeler led the NFL in touchdowns for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Montgomery (American football)</span> American football player (born 1997)

David Montgomery is an American professional football running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa State Cyclones and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Jacobs</span> American football player (born 1998)

Joshua Cordell Jacobs is an American professional football running back for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft. Jacobs rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons, while being named to NFL All-Rookie Team in 2019 and to his first Pro Bowl in 2020. In 2022, he led the league in rushing yards with 1,653 and became the first Raider since 1985 to surpass 2,000 scrimmage yards. After five years with the Raiders, Jacobs signed with the Packers in 2024.

Rhamondre Stevenson is an American professional football running back for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oklahoma, where he was a bowl game MVP, and was selected by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft.

References

  1. ↑ "Tatum Antoine Bell". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  2. ↑ "2004 NFL Draft Scout Tatum Bell College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  3. ↑ "2004 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Tatum Bell Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  5. ↑ Bell: I wasn't really demanding trade - Detroit Lions Highlight Reel - MLive.com
  6. ↑ accuses Bell in luggage theft; Bell calls situation misunderstanding
  7. ↑ "SportingNews.com - Fantasy Source Blitz - Newly signed Bell not in football shape". Archived from the original on March 6, 2009. Retrieved November 12, 2008.
  8. ↑ Rasizer, Lee (November 12, 2008). "New Broncos backs hit the ground running; Hillis, Pope, Bell out to be stopgaps for ailing backfield". Rocky Mountain News . Retrieved July 21, 2012. Bell, who signed a one-year contract, had been working at a T-Mobile store at Aurora Mall the past three months.
  9. ↑ Hays, Chris (September 4, 2009). "Florida Tuskers add 11 to roster, bringing total to 43 players; training camp opens next week in Orlando". Orlando Sentinel . Retrieved August 30, 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.