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.
Still in prison as far as I know. I work with a lady whose 17 year old daughter is dating Art's son. She doesn't press him on what's up with his dad. It's got to be hard on the poor kid.
On the bright side, the kid is a good high school player, and should get a free ride to a good school.
As you know, I'm a big Buckeye fan, as is my entire family.
One of my late daddy's most disappointing moments was seeing Schleister scalping OSU basketball tickets in front of St. John's Arena for a men's game back in the 80s.
Wow. I knew Art sank low, but that's pretty bad. Imagine. A former millionaire scalping tickets. Outside the venue like a silly 18 year old freshman looking for beer money.
He is still in prison. The Schlister Family from Washington Court House, Ohio is highly respected. Art's brother is a representative in the state legislature. Art got adicted to gambling and it ruined his life.
In 2002 Art's brother won a legislative seat that had been held by the Demorats since 1932. In that race, for the first time in my memory a Repubican candidate went door to door in three counites. Schlister must have, over several months, knocked on every door in the district. The Democrat he beat was shocked and very angry when they counted the votes.
A saddened heart in Buckeye Nation.
Rest in peace Todd Bell.
Our defend, you fought `til the end for O-HI-O!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.