Bell spent his first three years as a reserve, rising to a starting role in 1980 due to injuries to both Lynn Swann and John Stallworth. His 25.8 yards-per-catch average led the AFC that year.[1] He then held out of training camp the next year, hoping to get a salary increase based on his performance. He was instead waived, and was claimed by the Buccaneers, where he replaced Mike Shumann on the roster.[2] He started 13 of 70 games he appeared in for the Bucs and had 95 catches for 1,470 yards and four touchdowns.[3]
During Bell's second season with the Steelers, his first wife, Kathy, appeared on Card Sharks and won several games for a total of $23,000 in prize money.
He died in Tampa, Florida at age 52 after suffering from scleroderma and kidney disease.[1] Scleroderma is a chronic disease that causes skin thickening and tightening and can cause damage to internal organs.[3]
References
^Zier, Patrick. "Tampa Bay waives Shumann, obtains Bell". The Lakeland Ledger. September 3, 1981
^Walston, Charles. "Bell Tickled To Sing Bucs' Tune". St. Petersburg Evening Independent. September 3, 1981