Todd on left. Son of a pastor, Todd was a man of faith as well. He is in the presence of His Lord now.
Posted on 03/16/2005 3:27:51 PM PST by buccaneer81
Former Buckeye, NFL Player Killed In Auto Crash Todd Bell's Vehicle Crashes Into House
UPDATED: 5:29 pm EST March 16, 2005
REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio -- Todd Bell, who played football for Ohio State and the Chicago Bears, died Wednesday morning after the vehicle he was driving crashed into a house.
The crash occurred shortly before 7 a.m. in the 2000 block of Baldwin Road in Reynoldsburg, NBC 4 reported.
SLIDESHOW: Images From Crash Scene
According to a news release issued from Ohio State, Bell suffered an apparent heart attack before losing control of his vehicle.
Bell, 46, was one of the most highly recruited football players in the nation after playing high school football in Middletown.
He played defensive back for the Buckeyes from 1977 to 1980 and was a four-year starter. He was an All-Big Ten selection as a junior and senior.
Todd Bell
"Everybody looked up to him," said former Ohio State kicker Vlade Janakievski. "He was just a great guy and a hard worker, disciplined. He really cared about his family, his teammates. He would do anything for his friends."
Bell, who also competed on the OSU track team, had his best year as a junior, recording 87 tackles. He scored two touchdowns that year, including the winning score in an 18-15 win at Michigan, where he scooped up a blocked punt and ran it into the end zone. The win sent the 11-0 Buckeyes to the Rose Bowl.
That same season in the Rose Bowl, Bell ran down Heisman Trophy winner Charles White from behind and stripped him of the ball to prevent a touchdown -- a play that ranks as one of the great plays in Ohio State football lore.
Bell was drafted in the fourth round by Chicago in 1981 and remained with the Bears through 1987. He then played for two years for the Philadelphia Eagles before retiring in 1989. Bell was named to the Pro Bowl in 1984.
He returned to Central Ohio after retiring from the NFL and worked in Ohio State's Office of Minority Affairs.
Bell's wife, Daphne, nominated him a few years ago for Redbook's Husband of the Year Award.
Ping.
I remember him. He help take the Bears to the Big Game.
Ping
Another steroid victim?
I would think so. There are too many players collapsing and dying due to heart diseases. It is symptomatic of heavy or continued use of steriods among other things.
One of the '85 Bears. 15-1 and Super Bowl champs. Walter Payton has been gone six years now, another from that great team.
Ever hear how Regy Robby died?
Tragic. Prayers for Daphne and family.....
Actually, Todd may have been a hold out in '85/
Ya know, You could be right. He did'nt make the Superbowl Shuffle cut.
This says it all about the man.
Rest in Peace to Todd from a Buckeye fan. He was a great athlete and will be missed.
I think you are right. Bell & Al harris both were hold outs. i think they missed the big dance.
Todd sat out the Super Bowl year for my beloved Bears, along with Al Harris
man could Todd bring the wood ...
prayers out to his family
1979: Ohio State 18, Michigan 15
This game is on ESPN Classic, and it should be. Unbeaten and second-ranked Ohio State moved the ball convincingly most of the day, but had trouble scoring. Sophomore All-American quarterback Art Schlichter threw for 196 yards, including an 18-yard TD pass to Chuck Hunter to give the Buckeyes their first touchdown against Michigan since 1975.
But Michigan countered with a passing attack of its own. Freshman receiver Anthony Carter scored on a 59-yard bomb from John Wangler. Carter set up another score with a 66-yard catch. That staked Michigan to a 15-12 edge in the fourth quarter.
But Buckeyes Jim Laughlin and Ernie Andria teamed to block a punt in the fourth quarter and Todd Bell returned the bouncing ball 18 yards for the game-winning score midway through the final period.
OSU dropped a 17-16 Rose Bowl decision to USC, costing the Buckeyes a national crown.
Todd on left. Son of a pastor, Todd was a man of faith as well. He is in the presence of His Lord now.
A sad loss.
Oops, almost posted that before reading the entire thread - Bell and Harris sat out '85.
Whatever happened to Art Schlister? There's a tough story about gambling addition there.
I don't know. He sure wasted his talent and life.
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