Career
Bell was a star for the Southern California Trojans, gaining 1,875 yards rushing in one season. Bell first attracted notice during his sophomore season at University of Southern California. in 1974 as a great blocker and between-the-tackles runner, sharing the position of fullback with David Farmer for the 10–1–1 National Championship Trojans team that defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl by the score of 18–17 on January 1, 1975. In 1975, Bell led the Trojans to a 7–0 start to their season.
Then, the lack of their passing game to balance the offense, led to the team"s stumbling to an 8–4 overall record, but capped with a victory over Texas Agricultural and Mechanical in the Liberty Bowl.
Then in 1976, Bell led the Trojans team to an 11–1 record, crowned by its victory over the University of Michigan Wolverines in the Rose Bowl. Bell was voted the player of the year in the Pacific-8 Conference in 1976.
Bell was the first overall draft choice in the 1977 NFL Draft, selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Bell signed a five-year contract for a reported $1.2 million.
lieutenant was by far the richest contract ever signed by an NFL rookie.
This draft choice was somewhat controversial because Tony Dorsett was being projected as an arguably better back than Bell. Bell"s selection was not a surprise, however, because Tampa Bay was coached by John McKay, Bell"s former head coach at United States.C. After a couple mediocre seasons, in 1979, Bell enjoyed his finest season, rushing for 1,263 yards and leading the Buccaneers to the championship of the NFC Central Division. The team fell one game short of a trip to Super Bowl XIV, ending their season by losing to the Los Angeles Rams for the NFC championship.
In March 1982 McKay sent him to the San Diego Chargers.
But, suffering from weight loss, aching muscles and severe skin problems, he retired before the 1983 season. Bell died in 1984 of heart failure caused by the disease of dermatomyositis.
Mario Van Peebles portrayed the player in the made-for-television movie,, which was based on the life of Ricky Bell. Bell"s remains were interred in the Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.
A 1991 made-for-television movie,, recounted the life of the late football player the movie is also available on live streming on Netflix.