Gordon Bell (American football) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Gordon Bell

Bell from 1976 Michiganensian
No. 5, 25, 20
Position:	Tailback/KR/PR
Personal information
Born:	(1953-12-25) December 25, 1953 (age 71) Troy, Ohio, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:	180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
High school:	Troy (OH)
College:	Michigan (1973-1975)
NFL Draft:	1976 / Round: 4 / Pick: 104
Career history
New York Giants (1976–1977) St. Louis Cardinals (1978)
Career highlights and awards
Third-team All-American (1975) First-team All-Big Ten (1975) Second-team All-Big Ten (1974) Big Ten rushing champion Big Ten Championship team (2x) Michigan single-season records All-purpose yards (1975-87) Carries (1975-87) 100-yard rushing games (1975-87)
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards: 319 Receiving yards: 259 KR yards/PR yards: 764/102
Player stats at PFR

Gordon Granville Bell (born December 25, 1953) is a former American football player. He was a running back, kickoff returner, and punt returner. Gordon Bell played for the Michigan Wolverines from 1973 to 1975. After college, he played professionally for the New York Giants (1976-1977) and St. Louis Cardinals (1978) in the National Football League (NFL).

Bell was a top high school player in Ohio. He led Troy High School to perfect seasons in 1970 and 1971. In 1970, as a 16-year-old, he rushed for 324 yards in one game. That year, he gained 1,593 yards and scored 146 points.

At Michigan, Bell was a key player for teams that had a great record of 28 wins, 3 losses, and 3 ties. In 1974, he became one of only three Michigan players to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. In 1975, he set several school records, including most all-purpose yards (1,714 yards). He also had the most 100-yard rushing games (eight) and most rushing attempts (273). Bell was the Big Ten Conference rushing champion in 1975.

After college, Bell played three years in the NFL. He had 1,444 all-purpose yards in his professional career. His best NFL season was 1976, with 784 all-purpose yards.

Gordon Bell's Early Life and High School Football

Gordon Bell grew up in Troy, Ohio. From a young age, he loved football and went to Ohio State Buckeyes games with his dad. In high school, he became one of Ohio's best football players.

High School Success in 1970

As a junior at Troy High School in 1970, Bell had an amazing season. He rushed for over 1,593 yards and scored 146 points. He helped Troy High have its first undefeated season (10-0) since 1957. The Associated Press named him to the 1970 All-Ohio Class AAA high school first team.

In the first game of the 1970 season, 16-year-old Bell rushed for 324 yards. He also scored four touchdowns in a big 54–6 win. Bell gave credit to his offensive line, saying, "All I can say is that my line was tremendous." The opposing coach said, "Our kids were on Bell from the start, but they just couldn't bring him down."

Senior Year and Rivalry with Archie Griffin

In 1971, as a senior, Bell again led Troy High to a perfect 10–0 record. In the first game, he scored a 70-yard touchdown on his very first carry. He rushed for 190 yards and three touchdowns in that game. The coach from the other team said, "We knew we had to stop Bell and yet we still couldn't do it. That boy is a great football player."

Bell earned first-team All-Ohio honors again. However, he lost the award for Ohio AAA high school back of the year. That award went to Archie Griffin, a senior from Columbus. Bell and Griffin would later become rivals in college football. In 1971, Bell also won a weight-lifting contest in the 165-pound class.

Gordon Bell at the University of Michigan

Gordon Bell was recruited to the University of Michigan by assistant coach Gary Moeller. He was a smaller player for a running back, standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing about 178 pounds. People sometimes called him Michigan's "mighty mite tailback."

Bell's Unique Running Style

What made Bell special was his ability to quickly change direction and find small openings. Coach Bo Schembechler called Bell "the greatest cutback runner I've ever coached." In 1975, the Associated Press described him as someone who could "cut on a dime" and "spurt through miniscule holes." He was also very tough, often bouncing back up after big hits. Michigan radio announcer Bob Ufer often called him "little Gordie Bell." Ufer once joked that Bell "could run fifteen minutes in a phone booth and never touch the sides."

During his time at Michigan, Bell rushed for 2,902 yards on 535 carries. He scored 28 rushing touchdowns. He also returned 12 kickoffs, averaging 26.4 yards per return.

1973 Season: First Year at Michigan

As a sophomore in 1973, Bell played his first game against Iowa. He carried the ball five times for 50 yards, averaging ten yards per carry. Bell did not start any games in 1973, but he played more as the season went on. He had 19 carries for 73 yards against Minnesota and 15 carries for 89 yards against Indiana.

For the 1973 season, Bell rushed for 464 yards on 88 carries. The team finished with a great record of 10 wins, 0 losses, and 1 tie. Their only tie was 10–10 against Ohio State. Even though they tied for the Big Ten Conference championship, Ohio State was chosen to play in the Rose Bowl. Michigan ended the season ranked number 6 in the country.

1974 Season: Breaking Records

Bell eludes a Michigan State defender, 1975

In the 1974 season, Bell rushed for 1,048 yards. This was the third highest single-season total in Michigan history at that time. He became only the third player in school history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season. Bell achieved this even though he shared the starting tailback position with sophomore Rob Lytle. Lytle started more games, but Bell still outrushed him.

Bell had lost about 10 pounds before the 1974 season to become quicker. Coach Schembechler said that both Bell and Lytle were "good" and had "equal ability." Bell agreed, saying it was fair to share playing time. In a big win against Purdue in November 1974, Bell rushed for 166 yards. He was named the Midwest offensive player of the week for his performance.

After the 1974 season, Schembechler called Bell and Lytle "the greatest combination in the country." He said Bell was the best "cut runner" he ever coached, and Lytle was a great "power runner."

1975 Season: Most Valuable Player

In 1975, Bell was a senior and continued to share backfield duties with Rob Lytle. The Michigan team finished the season ranked #8 in the country. Bell rushed for 1,390 yards and added 314 yards on kickoff returns. He was voted the team's Most Valuable Player.

Michigan started the 1975 season ranked #3. In the first game against Wisconsin, Bell rushed for 210 yards. This was a school record for a season opener for 28 years. Bell played through a muscle injury, showing his leadership as a senior. He gave credit to his teammates, especially freshman quarterback Rick Leach and the offensive line.

The Wolverines tied games against Stanford and Baylor. Bell had a 64-yard kickoff return against Baylor and scored both of Michigan's touchdowns. He helped save the team from a loss. Michigan then won seven games in a row. In a 69–0 win over Northwestern Wildcats, Bell rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter alone. Michigan set a Big Ten record with 573 rushing yards in that game.

In a close win against Minnesota, Bell rushed for 174 yards and two touchdowns. This was his fifth straight 100-yard game. He also had 2,488 career rushing yards, which was second in school history at the time. Bell won the Big Ten Conference rushing championship in 1975.

Michigan ended the season with a loss to Ohio State. However, Bell outplayed Archie Griffin in that game, rushing for 124 yards compared to Griffin's 46. Bell also threw a touchdown pass. Bell played in his only bowl game, the 1976 Orange Bowl, where Michigan lost to the Oklahoma Sooners.

Bell vs. Archie Griffin: A College Rivalry

Gordon Bell played at Michigan at the same time Archie Griffin won two Heisman Trophies for Ohio State. In their head-to-head games in 1974 and 1975, Bell performed as well as, or even better than, Griffin.

In 1974, Bell rushed for 108 yards, while Griffin had 111 yards. In 1975, Bell outgained Griffin significantly, 124 yards to 46 yards. Bell also led the Big Ten Conference in rushing yards per game in 1975. Even so, Griffin won the Heisman Trophy, and Bell finished eighth in the voting.

Bell said he didn't feel "slighted" by Griffin's fame. He believed he was "just as good as he is." Bell later said the 1975 game against Ohio State was a "personal victory" for him because he outrushed Griffin. Lee Larkins, a top defensive back from Purdue, said in 1976 that Gordon Bell was the best running back he ever played against. He felt Bell had "more speed and more moves than Archie does."

Gordon Bell's Coach: Bo Schembechler

Bell played for Michigan's famous coach, Bo Schembechler. Schembechler called Bell "a very, very durable guy" and "a confident guy." He also said Bell was "one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet."

When Archie Griffin received a lot of media attention in 1975, Coach Schembechler spoke up for Bell. He said, "I think Bell's as good as any back there is anywhere. . . . He is certainly the most underpublicized great back in the country."

Bell's Michigan Records and Honors

Gordon Bell had a fantastic career at Michigan. He was the Big Ten's leading rusher in 1975 and was named to the Associated Press All-Big Ten team. He was also Michigan's Most Valuable Player. He finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting.

Here are some of Bell's impressive records at Michigan:

• In 1975, Bell set the single-season all-purpose yards record with 1,714 yards. This record stood until 1987.
• His 273 carries in 1975 broke a school record and still ranks among the top performances.
• In 1975, Bell set a Michigan record with eight 100-yard rushing games. This record lasted for 12 years.
• His 1,390 rushing yards in 1975 was the second-best single-season total in school history at the time.
• When he graduated, Bell was second in school history for career rushing yards (2,902 yards). He still ranks ninth all-time.
• His 210-yard rushing game against Wisconsin was one of the best in school history. Bell is one of only twelve Michigan backs to rush for 200 yards in a single game.
• Bell's 13 rushing touchdowns in 1975 was the second-best in school history at the time.
• His 28 career rushing touchdowns ranked third in school history when he left.

Gordon Bell's Professional Football Career

Gordon Bell was chosen by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 1976 NFL draft.

Playing for the New York Giants

Bell didn't play much early in his rookie season with the Giants in 1976. A columnist wondered why the team wasn't using him more, saying Bell was "quick, with speed to break any play for a long gain." Bell himself said it was hard to be a "spot player" because he needed time to get warmed up.

The 1976 Giants had a varied offense. Bell was second on the team with 25 catches for 198 yards. When the starting running back was injured, Bell got his first start on November 27, 1976. He had his best professional game, rushing for two touchdowns in a 28-16 win. He gained 56 yards rushing and 41 yards receiving. Bell said, "I needed a game like that."

In 1977, Bell played even less for the Giants. His main role was returning kickoffs. He returned 12 kickoffs for 235 yards.

Time with the St. Louis Cardinals

In 1978, Bell was briefly with the Green Bay Packers during training camp. He then signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in November. With the Cardinals, he had more kickoff returns (eight) than rushes (seven).

Life After Football

After retiring from football, Gordon Bell owned a barbecue restaurant in Dayton, Ohio. Later, he worked selling radio advertising in Detroit, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois.

Career Statistics

College Statistics

NFL Statistics

Images for kids

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  Bell's only bowl game was in the 1976 Orange Bowl.