Cowboys Safety Named HBCU Player Of The Year

“I am humbly grateful for this honor and acknowledgment to be selected for the NFL HBCU Spotlight Player of the Year for the 2023 season,” Bell told The Famuan, Florida A&M's student newspaper. “To have it magnified and polarized at the Super Bowl is monumental.

“It’s humbling to be mentioned in the same sentence as Russell Wilson and Prime Time Deion Sanders who have stood on this platform.”

Bell made the Cowboys' 53-man roster in his rookie season, but became a big part of the defense in Year 2. Playing all 17 games and starting 12 of them, he finished with 94 total tackles, second on the team only behind linebacker Damone Clark, and had four passes defended and two forced fumbles.

However, Bell knows that there's still plenty of room for improvement, and he intends to better himself during the offseason.

“I know that I must work extremely hard during this off-season to condition my body to prepare for the everyday grind as a professional football player,” Bell said. “I am extremely excited about getting with my coaches and teammates this off-season to study my craft and add more tools to my tool belt.”

The Cowboys have a deep history of stars from HBCUs, with fellow Florida A&M alum Bob Hayes and Tennessee State's Ed "Too Tall" Jones being two notable examples. If Bell continues to develop, maybe he can wind up in this elite club as well.

“I do realize God has placed upon me to lead and be an example for many, and for that matter, I have accepted my calling to be intentional in the most positive way that I know as to the lives I affect from those watching me,” Bell said.

Bell will be honored at the 25th annual Super Bowl Soulful Celebration, airing on Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. CT (8 p.m. ET). Other honorees include Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (Faith in Action Award) and Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (New Beginnings Award).