 Bell with the Dallas Cowboys in 2020 | |||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born: | (1991-08-07)August 7, 1991 (age 33) Wichita, Kansas, U.S. | ||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 252 lb (114 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Bishop Carroll (Wichita, Kansas) | ||||||||||
| College: | Oklahoma (2010–2014) | ||||||||||
| Position: | Tight end | ||||||||||
| NFL draft: | 2015: 4th round, 117th pick | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of 2023 | |||||||||||
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Blake Bell (born August 7, 1991) is an American professionalfootballtight end. He was selected by theSan Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the2015 NFL draft. He playedcollege football for theOklahoma Sooners, where he received the nickname "Belldozer", a play on words due to his large frame, running style, and blocking ability.[1]
Bell attendedBishop Carroll Catholic High School inWichita, Kansas, where he played as aquarterback. As a senior in 2009, he threw for 2,752 yards with 32touchdowns. He was ranked as the sixth best pro-style quarterback recruit byRivals.com.[2]
He was selected by theDetroit Tigers in the 43rd round of the2010 Major League Baseball Draft, but did not sign with the team.[3][4]
Bell accepted a football scholarship from theUniversity of Oklahoma and wasredshirted in 2010. In 2011, he was the backup quarterback toLandry Jones, but appeared in the Sooners jumbo package, leading to 44rushing attempts for 171 yards and 13touchdowns. As a passer, he completed one of four passes for eight yards and aninterception. He was the MVP of the2011 Insight Bowl after rushing for 51 yards on 10carries with three touchdowns.[5]
As a sophomore in 2012, he was again the backup to Jones and was used mostly in thejumbo package. He rushed for 201 yards on 60 attempts with 11 touchdowns and completed 9-of-16 passes for 107 yards.
As a junior in 2013, he appeared in 11 games out of 13 games (8 starts), missing the contest atKansas State University and the2014 Sugar Bowl. He made 140 completions out of 233 attempts for 1,648 yards, 12 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
As a senior in the spring of 2014, Bell was converted into atight end after the emergence of redshirt freshman quarterbackTrevor Knight in the2014 Sugar Bowl. He appeared in 9 games and was used mostly for blocking purposes, posting 16receptions for 214 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Bell was projected to be a fifth round draft pick. He was ranked the ninth best tight end prospect in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com.[6]
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft6+1⁄4 in (1.99 m) | 252 lb (114 kg) | 33+1⁄8 in (0.84 m) | 10 in (0.25 m) | 4.80 s | 1.73 s | 2.85 s | 4.32 s | 6.85 s | 33 in (0.84 m) | 9 ft 8 in (2.95 m) | 18 reps | |
| All values fromNFL Combine/Pro Day[7][6] | ||||||||||||
Bell was selected by theSan Francisco 49ers in the fourth round (117th overall) of the2015 NFL draft.[8] He was the fifth tight end chosen in 2015.[9] On May 11, 2015, the 49ers signed him to a four-year, $2.78 million contract that includes asigning bonus of $505,132.[10]
Throughouttraining camp, Bell faced stiff competition for a roster spot againstVance McDonald,Garrett Celek,Xavier Grimble,Derek Carrier,Asante Cleveland, andRory Anderson.[11] Head coachJim Tomsula named him the fourth tight end on the depth chart to begin his rookie season, behindVernon Davis, Vance McDonald, and Garrett Celek.[12]
He made his professional regular season debut in the 49ers' season-opening 20–3 victory over theMinnesota Vikings. The following week, he made his first career reception off a four-yard pass by quarterbackColin Kaepernick during the third quarter of a 43–18 loss to thePittsburgh Steelers.[13]
On October 11, 2015, he earned his first career start after Davis was inactive due to a knee injury.[14] Bell finished the 30–27 loss at theNew York Giants with one reception for six yards. He was a healthy scratch in Weeks 7–8. On November 29, 2015, Bell caught three passes for a season-high 67 yards during a 19–13 loss to theArizona Cardinals. He saw increased snaps in the Cardinals game after Garrett Celek left the game due to an ankle injury.[15][16]
The next week, he had a season-high four receptions for 43 yards during a 24–14 loss to theCincinnati Bengals. He finished his only season under offensive coordinatorGeep Chryst with a total of 15 receptions for 186 receiving yards.[17]
Bell competed to maintain a roster spot under new head coachChip Kelly, competing againstGarrett Celek,Bruce Miller,Rory Anderson, andJe'Ron Hamm. He was named the second tight end on the 49ers' depth chart behindVance McDonald.[18]
On December 18, 2016, Bell caught one reception for a season-high 45 yards during a 41–13 loss at theAtlanta Falcons. Unfortunately, he left the first half of the game after suffering a shoulder injury and was placed oninjured reserve the following day.[19] He finished the2016 season with only four receptions for 85 receiving yards in 13 games.[20]
Bell contended for a roster spot under new head coachKyle Shanahan, going up againstGeorge Kittle,Logan Paulsen, andCole Hikutini.[21] On September 2, 2017, the San Francisco 49ers waived Bell.[22]
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On September 3, 2017, Bell was claimed off waivers by the Vikings.[23] He began the season as the third tight end on the roster, behindKyle Rudolph andDavid Morgan II.[24]
Bell made his Vikings' debut in their season-opening 29–19 victory over theNew Orleans Saints. On October 1, 2017, he earned his first start with the Vikings and caught a 12-yard pass from quarterbackCase Keenum during Minnesota's 14–7 loss to theDetroit Lions.[25]
On December 10, 2017, Bell scored his first NFL points, catching atwo-point conversion during a 31–24 loss against theCarolina Panthers.[26] On December 15, 2017, the Minnesota Vikings placed Bell on injured/reserve after he suffered a shoulder injury.[27]
On September 1, 2018, Bell was waived by the Vikings.[28]
On October 16, 2018, he signed with theJacksonville Jaguars.[29] He appeared in 10 games (4 starts), tallying 8 receptions for 67 yards.
On April 2, 2019, Bell signed with theKansas City Chiefs.[30] Bell scored his first NFL touchdown on January 12, 2020, with an eight-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter of Kansas City's AFC Divisional Playoff win over theHouston Texans. The Chiefs advanced toSuper Bowl LIV where they defeated Bell's former team the 49ers 31–20.[31] Bell caught one pass for nine yards in the Super Bowl.[32]
On April 7, 2020, Bell was signed as afree agent by theDallas Cowboys, to take over the blockingtight end role thatJason Witten had the previous season.[33] After starterBlake Jarwin was lost for the year with an ACL injury suffered in the season opener against theLos Angeles Rams, Bell became the backup tight end behindDalton Schultz. He appeared in 16 games, making 11 receptions for 110 yards and no touchdowns. He started the seventh and eighth game, when the Cowboys employed a two tight end formation to provide extra passing protection.
On March 18, 2021, Bell signed with the Chiefs.[34] He was put on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on December 21, 2021.[35] He was activated off the Reserve/COVID-19 list on December 24, 2021.[36]
Bell re-signed with the Chiefs on March 24, 2022, to a one-year deal.[37] Bell was placed on injured reserve on September 5, 2022.[38] He was activated on December 23.
In the 2022 season, Bell recorded his first career receiving touchdown in the regular season in the Chiefs' Week 17 game against theDenver Broncos. Bell won his second Super Bowl when the Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38–35 inSuper Bowl LVII.[39]
In the 2023 season, Bell won his third Super Bowl championship when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 25–22 inSuper Bowl LVIII.[40]
Bell is the son of former NFL defensive endMark Bell[41] and nephew of former defensive endMike Bell.[42] Bell is a devoutRoman Catholic.[43]
