Markquese Bell is a product of Bridgeton, New Jersey.
Still, Tallahassee still holds a special place in the heart of the former Florida A&M football star and Dallas Cowboys safety.
Bell spent the last two weekends in the city for the Rattlers Orange and Green Spring Football Game on April 13th, then the Florida State University Club Celebrity Golf Tournament, and then on April 20th. attended the Seminoles' Spring Football Showcase.
While in Tallahassee, Bell delved further into philanthropy.
Owner of Bell Cares Foundation and Gramma Hands, LLC. While in Tallahassee, we took the kids to the local amusement center, Fun Station.
“I come back quite often,” Bell told the Tallahassee Democrat in a one-on-one interview in the dining room of the Four Points by Sheraton.
“It always feels good to go home just to come back to inspire other players and see some familiar faces and the players who came after me trying to reach their goals. is.”
After going undrafted in 2022, Bell completed his second year in the NFL with the Cowboys.
Bell was a starting linebacker for the Cowboys and helped them win the NFC East with a 12-5 record and an appearance in the divisional round, but he was traded to the eventual Super Bowl runner-up San Francisco 49ers in January. Defeated.
“Time flies,” said Bell, 25. “It's my third year now, but it feels like just yesterday that I started.”
“I love it. I'm on a good team with good staff. I'm able to inspire the people I've always wanted to be and be a role model for the next generation of young people, because in reality… Because I couldn't reach out to the person who made it happen.
“It's a dream come true.”
Former FAMU football star and current Dallas Cowboys safety Marquise Bell enjoys the NFL
Finally fulfilling his dream of playing in the NFL, Bell was able to earn a lot of money.
According to Spotrac, Bell signed a three-year contract worth $2.575 million when he joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent.
While he enjoys the paycheck, connecting with like-minded NFL players is one of Bell's favorite parts of his current football division.
“Aside from playing football and getting paid, what I love most is the love of the game, the camaraderie and the team atmosphere,” Bell said.
“For example, when COVID-19 hit, it was the longest period I've been away from football. So when it's all over and I have to hang up these cleats, I'm not sure what it's going to be like. I will miss all of that, the conversations and jokes with my teammates in the locker room and on the sideline.
“That's my favorite part. Just being with the guys, going out and playing the game I love.”
This past season, Bell made the brave move to move from his natural position of safety to linebacker under former Cowboys defensive coordinator and current Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn.
Bell was second on the team with 94 tackles, behind Damone Clark. Bell was named the 2023 NFL HBCU Spotlight Player of the Year.
However, Bell is expected to return to safety in 2024 under new Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
Another good performance for Bell could earn him a hefty contract extension as he becomes a free agent after next season.
“Once I started, I was open to anything,” Bell said.
“During the draft, I was getting questions about playing linebacker. It was similar to what I did as a safety in college. I wanted to play as long as I could get on the field and contribute to the team. I was lucky to have that opportunity. DQ (Quinn) saw something in me that allowed me to go out and get the job done. Masu.
“Now that I'm back at safety, it's helped me grow as a player. I still have experience on the front line, second level, and how that helps my game on the back end. You can find out.”
Dallas Cowboys safety Marquise Bell remains a consistent FAMU rattler.
A well-traveled college football career ended with the bell at FAMU.
Bell, who came out of high school as a four-star wide receiver at the University of Maryland, was waived by the team and attended Coffeyville College, where he was converted to defensive back.
Former FAMU head coach Willie Simmons scouted Bell out of Coffeyville, and from there Bell rose to become an All-American for the Rattlers during his 2019-2021 tenure.
Five years after appearing with the FAMU football program, Bell is still grateful to Simmons for giving him a second chance to play NCAA Division I college football.
“I will forever be grateful to Coach Simmons for taking me out of Coffeyville, Kansas and giving me the opportunity to step on the football field again to do what I love and provide for my family. “I guess so,” Bell said. .
After coaching the Rattlers to the program's first Southwestern Athletic Conference and Celebration Bowl titles, Simmons left FAMU on Jan. 1 to become running backs coach at Duke University.
“I was shocked,” Bell said of Simmons leaving FAMU for Duke.
“He's striving to be better and trying to provide for his family. All I can do is make him happy and support him. I hope so.”
Simmons will be replaced at FAMU by James Colzie III.
Colzie joined the Rattlers' staff as cornerbacks coach in 2022, a season prior to Bell's final year at FAMU.
Still, Bell is a part of the current FAMU football program and believes Colzie can have similar success to Simmons.
“We've had many interactions and I know he's going to do a great job,” Bell said of Colzi. “The program is well managed.”
Persistence propels FAMU football star Marquez Bell to NFL dreams with the prestigious Dallas Cowboys franchise
What's unique about Bell's ongoing career is that he's playing for the most valuable sports franchise.
Carrying the nickname “America's Team” while playing for the Cowboys, Bell strives for excellence every time he steps on the football field.
And he says if he falls short of the Cowboys' standards, he'll hear about it.
“Yeah, it's pressure. The Cowboys want success. That's not an option,” Bell said. “It helps when you go out into the field because the organization is as good as all the support staff and the people working around them.
“You know, we had support from our fans, even some crazy fans. I'm on Instagram, and sometimes they're with me and sometimes they're not. Sometimes,” Bell joked. “You have to accept the good and the bad. That's just the way things roll.
“I love the organization.”
Bell's pursuit of the NFL was fraught with challenges.
But persistence spoke out for HBCUs and undrafted players to earn spots to play football at the highest level.
Bell's message to other NFL prospects from HBCUs, Football Championship Subdivision, Football Bowl Subdivision and Power Five players is to never give up.
“No matter how hard it is, no matter how tired you are, don’t stop,” Bell said.
“You're going to have hard days and nights thinking all night if it's worth it. When you get there, you're going to think, 'Oh, it's worth it.' All the sleepless nights, blood, sweat, and tears they talk about are worth it.
“Then I can look at my guys and really say, 'I get it.' It's just a different feeling to take care of all the people that I love and did this for. Find out why. That's what drives me more than anything.”
Dallas Cowboys Receive FAMU Rattlers Football Marquise Bell Award
- 2023 NFL HBCU Player of the Year
- Members of the NFL Players Choir
- Ambassador of the new movie “The Forge” – released on August 23, 2024
- 2024 Steve Harvey Celebrity Golf Tournament Invitees
- Owner of the nonprofit organizations Bell Cares Foundation and Gramma's Hands, LLC.
- Bangout Breeze Kennel Owner
Gerald Thomas III covers Florida A&M University athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Reach him by email at gdthomas@tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as his Twitter. @3peatgee.
No one covers the Rattlers like the Tallahassee Democrat. Subscribe using the link at the top of the page and never miss a moment.
