Hard-hitting ex-Bear Bell dies of heart attack at 47
I am super sad to hear this… I really liked Todd Bell and always felt a bit bad that he sat out the year the Bears won the super bowl.
One memory I have of him is the year before they won the super bowl – he was the starting strong safety I think…a opposing receiver caught the ball in a full sprint across the middle and as he caught it, he ran into a wall…the walls name was Mr Todd Bell. It was the most memorable football hit that I witnessed up to that point in my life. I don’t think that wide receiver played football again…can’t remember if it was a broken leg or what. A shocking display of hard hitting football…but since he was on "my team" – I was excited and proud.
Peace and best wishes to his family and friends.
Hi Sean: Todd Bell and I went to High School together. I wish you could have known him then. He was a quiet guy, but yet when he was in a room his presence was known. He was always very modest, not letting his athletic ability overshadow him. I was very proud of him for that, because some jocks would let things like that get in the way, but he never did. I asked him to sign his name underneath his picture in my yearbook, because I told him that he was going to be famous one day. Sure enough, he did. Blessings to his wife, Daphne and his parents, Elder Archellus and Monterrey Bell along with his brothers and sisters.
Thanks Jean for sharing that. I always looked up to him as a young lad. Even though I only knew him as a Bear, he seemed like a quietly humble man. Yes, blessings and prayers to his family and friends.
HEY SEAN,MY NAME IS BISHOP AND I JUST FOUND OUT TODAY THAT TODD BELL PASSED AWAY.I LIVE IN FLORIDA NOW,BUT BACK IN THE EIGHTIES I LIVED IN CHICAGO AND I AM NOW AS WELL AS THEN A HUGE BEARS` FAN AND MAN TODD BELL WAS IT!!!! DOUG PLANK WAS GONE.TODD CAME IN WITH THEM RONNIE LOTT TYPE HITS(I THOUGHT TODD WAS BETTER) AND I JUST SMELLED SUPER BOWL IN `84 WHEN THE BEARS CREAMED THE SKINS IN RFK STADIUM 23 TO 19.THEN WE LOST TO THE LOTT -MONTANA LED NINERS INE THE NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.SETTING UP THE `85 SEASON & THE REST IS HISTORY.I STILL CONTEND TO THIS DAY THAT IF TODD & AL HARRIS DON`T HOLDOUT THE BEARS GO UNDEFEATED.LONG LIVE #25!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Boyd for sharing – yeah – those are great memories – those Bear teams brought me a tonne of joy as a little guy…I reckon a lot of other fans did too.
Hi, Sean
I met T.Bell as a freshman at OSU in 1980. It was funny meeting him because I was expecting a loud, aggressive personality. Instead he seemed to be quietly reserved, and very friendly and approachable.I had followed his exploits in football, and was preparing myself as a walk-on tryout safety for the football team. Todd was very popular and a good football player. But what really pleasantly surprised me was his humility. He was a very rooted person, not the flashy hotdog superstar that he could have easily portrayed with his athletic ability. A really down-to-earth guy and a punishing hitter on the football field. He was a good model of an athlete, as well as a person.
He will be greatly missed.
Hello guys, i am the niece of Todd Bell. He and Daphne raised me from the time my mother passed until i graduated from college. My friend happened upon your website and infomed me of it. I want to tell you all thank you for such kind and wonderful words about my “dad”. He truly was a remarkable man and it warms my heart that so many people loved and admired him.. out of all the newspaper articles and write ups i’ve seen this is one of the best because it’s not as known as the media. Thank you all again, and blessings to you and your family..
Anika Jackson
I am sorry for his families loss but i just heard about the death of Todd Bell today. I worked with Mr. Bell at the Young Scholars Office and he was always the most smooth and nicest person. To hear this news really saddens my heart. He was such a great person and he always talked about taking me to his church and now i know this will never happen. I will MISS YOU SO MUCH MR. BELL.
I did’nt know alot about Todd but he was a good man because Sweetness was crazy about him!
May Jesus allow Todd and Sweetness to run the clouds of Joy!
This site is a great tribute to a good man that Ive looked up to all of my life. When Todd was at OSU he attended my church in Columbus. Me and all the little league football guys would wait for him to come out of church after service because he was always kind to us and treated us like we were his best friends. I drew a sketch of him tackling Charles White in The Rose Bowl and he said he would keep it in his Bible. Years later while he played for the Eagles he still had that picture and he kept his word. Before his departure to heaven I would see him at church and he always gave good advice and at the least he would nod to let you know that he’s glad to see you and hes proud of you. He was a great role model and friend and though his accomplishments helping young men are not on paper or recorded they were noticed and not in vain. My last memory of his good work was at East High School seeing him teach a kid at a middle school track meet the proper technique on for long jumping. I only hope others in the community share their gifts and wisdom without a price but for the love like he did. I wish the best to all of the family. /mcobb.
Hi! I was in Todd Bell’s Sunday School class. He taught us alot. And I do wish that he was still there to teach us! But, God knows what he is doing. He was a father figure to us. He understands our feeling that we came to him with. And he was a funny person that always told stories about his life that had special meanings to them! I LOVE BROTHER TODD BELL!
I am an OSU Alumni and I used to see Todd on campus. The only time I really got to spend much time with him was a great memory though. A couple of my friends and I played a pickup basketball game against Todd, Vaughn Broadnax, William White, another OSU Football player whose name is escaping me at the moment, and a friend of theirs. We beat them 12-10 and I had two steals and two baskets against Todd. But the best play came against one of my buddies. He was along the baseline in the corner and tried to take an open three pointer, Todd was half way between him and the basket. Todd took one, went straight up, and swatted the ball clear back over his head out of bounds. The whole Gym just erupted with laughter. Todd just got this smiling little grin on his face and got set for the next play. Quiet, class, and extreme athletic ability as always. Best of luck to his family – always!
I Loved brother bell he was my Sunday school teacher. he was so special I just can’t explain.
I knew Todd in High school at Middletown High. He was a profound devoted Christian during a period when many of us struggled to find our way. I recall going to Ohio State to watch the hs basketball when Butch Carter took us to the finals. Todd was clear in his reasons to not drink or “party”. He was an a great role model. He took the high road when it took alot of courage to not follow peer influence. And what an athlete. He was astonishing in many ways.
It was clear to me in high school that Christ came first for Todd. He was so sweet and special . I am so glad our paths crossed many years ago. He placed his faith front and center when many of us were just trying to be cool. I appreciated his athletic ability but what a wonderful young man He was.
Bev
My uncle was the most discipline man I have ever known. I will always love and miss him.
Hi everyone
It seems as though everyone has the same thing to say about my friend Todd, I met him many years ago when He asked me to remodel his bathroom, I did not know at the time who he was but found out soon after he always had great things to say about everyone I was lucky enough to drive him to Atlanta to pick up his jeep after the engine blew up and we spent 24 hours during there and back and had some very meaningful conversations, I was lucky enough to see him a couple of days before he past and he showed me a jersey that Reggie white had sent him just before his passing, he was very proud to have known Reggie and we talked about him just about everytime I was over, the last thing todd said to me was to live our lives as though today is our last day I did not know that his time was to be so short.
I loved him and Daphne more than either of them ever knew but now I am sure he knows.
He will be missed
Jerry
Todd was a unique and special man. His personality was humorous, thoughtful, and respectful. He had the ability to throw the switch and instantly become an aggressive, physical player.I will always have fond memories of him as a friend and teammate in Chicago.
Todd Bell is the only true man of god that I’ve ever had the chance to meet, and I’m greatful for the opportunity. I met coach bell during my senior year of football at westerville south highschool. I just couldn’t believe that I was going to be coached by a man that played in the NFL. For me it was a dream the entire time. In the short time that I had with him, I was able to learn about what it truly ment to be a man. I could walk with god and still brutally punish people on the field. I still think of what he’s taught me to this day and look forward to seeing him again some day. Best wishes to his family, and wife. He was an angel, and I thank god for lending him to us all.
I’d like to write about Todd’s legacy to one of the poster’s to his passing. Deontae Nelson-Briggs posted to Todd’s passing earlier this year. Deontae was tragically taken from us August 11th. Deontae was truely a god-fearing soul who lighted everyones spirit, and i am sure that was Todd’s legacy to him thru our savior. Even though all of us are in sorrow over Deontae’s passing, our relief is that he’s where his destiny is….the Lords house! I am sure he and Todd are smiling down on all those touched by their influence. for that, I have no sorrow..they are truely in peace!