University of Missouri Athletics

Bell was a two-sport standout for Mizzou who left as one of the top throwers in MU track and field history. He walked on to the football team for his final two years of eligibility and turned into a big contributor on the Tiger defensive line. He was a four-time all-American in four different weight events, finishing 5th in the NCAA indoor weight throw in 2002, 7th in the NCAA indoor shot put in 2003, 9th in the NCAA outdoor hammer throw in 2002 and 11th in the NCAA outdoor discus in 2001. Overall, he qualified for the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships 10 times in his career. A team captain from Jefferson City, Missouri, he won the Big 12 Conference hammer throw championship in 2003 and earned all-conference honors 12 times. Bell ranked in the top-25 of all U.S. collegiate throwers in three events and was a 2002 and 2003 USATF Championship qualifier in the shot put, while also earning a spot on the 1999 U.S. National Junior Team. His bests in three events all stood #2 in Missouri history: indoor shot put (63-2), outdoor shot put (64-1.25) and discus (197-9). His bests in the weight throw (71-3.75) and the hammer throw (209-1) were in MU’s top four. He joined Coach Gary Pinkel’s football team in 2002 and worked his way into the starting lineup for 12 games over two years at defensive tackle and was part of Mizzou’s 2003 Independence Bowl team. In his career he made 80 tackles including 14 for loss with five QB sacks and three pass breakups. He was academic all-Big 12 in 2003 and earned a free-agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2004.