Ricky Bell Net Worth 2024, Age, Height, Bio, Birthday, Wiki!
Ava Arnold
Updated on January 09, 2026
Explore Ricky Bell net worth, age, height, bio, birthday, wiki, and salary! In this article, we will discover how old is Ricky Bell? Who is Ricky Bell dating now & how much money does Ricky Bell have?
Ricky Bell Biography
Ricky Bell is one of the most popular and richest Football Player who was born on April 8, 1955 in Houston, Texas, United States. Running back who was the first overall pick in the 1977 NFL draft.
His life was depicted in the film “A Triumph of the Heart: the Ricky Bell Story,” where he was played by Mario Van Peebles.
Bell was the brother of Archie Bell, lead singer of the 1960’s R & B group Archie Bell and the Drells.
Originally a linebacker, Bell first attracted notice during his sophomore season at USC in 1974 as a great blocker and between-the-tackles runner, sharing the position of fullback with David Farmer for the 10–1–1 national championship team (UPI) that defeated third-ranked Ohio State 18–17 in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.
He was born in Houston, Texas, and died in Los Angeles, California.
| Name | Ricky Bell |
| First Name | Ricky |
| Last Name | Bell |
| Occupation | Football Player |
| Birthday | April 8 |
| Birth Year | 1955 |
| Place of Birth | Houston |
| Home Town | Texas |
| Birth Country | United States |
| Birth Sign | Aries |
| Full/Birth Name | |
| Father | Not Available |
| Mother | Not Available |
| Siblings | Archie Bell, Jerry Bell, Eugene Bell |
| Spouse | Natalia |
| Children(s) | Not Available |
Ethnicity, religion & political views
Many peoples want to know what is Ricky Bell ethnicity, nationality, Ancestry & Race? Let's check it out! As per public resource, IMDb & Wikipedia, Ricky Bell's ethnicity is Black. We will update Ricky Bell's religion & political views in this article. Please check the article again after few days.
Bell was voted the player of the year in the Pacific-8 Conference in 1976. He was also awarded the 1976 W.J. Voit Memorial Trophy as the outstanding football player on the Pacific Coast and was again a consensus All-American.
Ricky Bell Net Worth
Ricky Bell is one of the richest Football Player from United States. According to our analysis, Wikipedia, Forbes & Business Insider, Ricky Bell's net worth $15 Million. (Last Update: December 11, 2023)
He was an outstanding college player at USC, where he led the team to a National Championship following the 1974 season.
He played in the NFL from 1977-1982, for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the San Diego Chargers.
Ricky Lynn Bell (April 8, 1955 – November 28, 1984) was an American professional football player who was a running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. Bell was a star in college for the University of Southern California, gaining 1,875 yards rushing in his junior season. The #1 Overall Selection in the 1977 NFL Draft, Bell was inducted posthumously into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
| Net Worth | $15 Million |
| Salary | Under Review |
| Source of Income | Football Player |
| Cars | Not Available |
| House | Living in own house. |
Then in his senior season of 1976, Bell led the Trojans team to an 11–1 record, crowned by a 14–6 victory over the Michigan Wolverines in the Rose Bowl. Despite suffering nagging injuries that limited his playing time, Bell set the USC single-game rushing record of 347 yards against Washington State at the new Kingdome, and he was the runner-up for the Heisman, behind Tony Dorsett of Pittsburgh, the national champions.
Bell was the first overall draft choice in the 1977 NFL Draft, selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were winless in their first season in 1976. Bell signed a five-year contract for a reported $1.2 million, by far the richest contract ever signed by an NFL rookie. This draft choice was somewhat controversial because Tony Dorsett was being projected as an arguably better back than Bell. Bell’s selection was not a surprise, however, because Tampa Bay was coached by John McKay, Bell’s former head coach at USC through 1975. After a couple mediocre seasons, in 1979, Bell enjoyed his finest season, rushing for 1,263 yards and leading the Buccaneers to the championship of the NFC Central Division. He led the Buccaneers to their first playoff win in franchise history that season by rushing for 142 yards on 38 carries scoring two touchdowns against the Philadelphia Eagles. The team fell one game short of a trip to Super Bowl XIV, ending their season by losing to the Los Angeles Rams for the NFC championship.
Height, Weight & Body Measurements
Ricky Bell height Not available right now. Ricky weight Not Known & body measurements will update soon.
| Height | Unknown |
| Weight | Not Known |
| Body Measurements | Under Review |
| Eye Color | Not Available |
| Hair Color | Not Available |
| Feet/Shoe Size | Not Available |
In 1975, the Trojans won their first seven games. Without a passing game to balance the offense, they struggled to an 8–4 record, but was capped with a victory over Texas A&M in the Liberty Bowl. During this season, Bell led the nation in rushing, gaining 1,875 yards, as he finished third in the voting for the Heisman Trophy and was a consensus All-American.
Bell died at age 29 of heart failure caused by the disease of dermatomyositis. Mario Van Peebles portrayed the player in the 1991 made-for-television movie, A Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story, which was based on the life of Ricky Bell. Bell’s remains were interred in the Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.
Who is Ricky Bell Dating?
According to our records, Ricky Bell married to Natalia . As of December 1, 2023, Ricky Bell’s is not dating anyone.
Relationships Record: We have no records of past relationships for Ricky Bell. You may help us to build the dating records for Ricky Bell!In March 1982, McKay sent him to the San Diego Chargers, but suffering from weight loss, aching muscles, and severe skin problems, he retired before the 1983 season.
Facts & Trivia
Ricky Ranked on the list of most popular Football Player. Also ranked in the elit list of famous people born in United States. Ricky Bell celebrates birthday on April 8 of every year.
What disease did Ricky Bell have?
Bell, who was the first pick in the N.F.L.’s 1977 draft, suffered from dermatomyositis and polymyositis, diseases that together affect the skin, the striated muscles and various connective tissues of the body.
Is the Ricky Bell story true?
It is true that Ricky did do a great many things for a great many people, but that doesn’t take away from the love he had for the now-15-year-old Ryan Blankenship, a boy with a speech impediment and dysfunctional arm and leg muscles. That story became the main part of the film.
Is Ricky Bell and his wife still together?
Ricky and his wife, Amy Bell, have been married for 14 years and their bond is undeniable. From their sweet selfies to their date night perfection, these two are simply beautiful together! Ricky and Amy aren’t afraid to get down and dirty!
What happened to running back Ricky Bell?
Bell died at age 29 of heart failure caused by the disease of dermatomyositis. Mario Van Peebles portrayed the player in the 1991 made-for-television movie, A Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story, which was based on the life of Ricky Bell.
Was triumph of the heart a true story?
The true story of black filmmaking legend Melvin Van Peebles energizes with heart, humor and raw attitude under the talents of his son (director and star Mario Van Peebles) on a ride that details theunderdog effort to make an empowering black film against all odds. An inspiring and informative crowd pleaser!
You may read full biography about Ricky Bell from Wikipedia.