Bobby Bell Biography

Bobby Lee Bell Sr. was born on June 17, 1940, and played professional football as a linebacker and defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFL and NFL. He played college football for the University of Minnesota's Golden Gophers team. During his junior year, he played quarterback when his school transitioned to an 11-man football format. Coach Jim Tatum of the University of North Carolina expressed interest in Bell, but the school’s segregation policy prevented his enrollment. His coach praised Bell, stating he would have excelled in any position and was a key contributor to the Gophers’ 22-6-1 record, national championship in 1960, and Rose Bowl victories in 1961 and 1962. He performed notably in the 1963 Chicago College All Star Game, where the college team defeated the defending NFL champion Green Bay Packers. In 1964, he was named All-AFL as a defensive end, and in 1965, coach Hank Stram repositioned him to outside linebacker.