STARKVILLE – Officials at Mississippi State have confirmed that redshirt sophomore defensive end Nick Bell died of cancer earlier today at the University of Alabama-Birmingham Hospital. Bell lost his short battle with brain cancer. He was 20-years old.
The Associated Press reported that Bell, who was originally from Bessemer, Ala., was diagnosed with cancer in late September after experiencing headaches during football practice.
Bell underwent surgery on Oct. 1 to remove a mass from his brain. Doctors were optimistic about his recovery and Bell returned to the MSU campus on Oct. 23 and visited with his teammates during the Bulldogs’ victory over Alabama-Birmingham.
Bell’s condition quickly deteriorated over the next week and he was rushed back to the hospital on Oct. 31. Bell underwent emergency surgery on Monday, Nov. 1, after it was discovered that the cancer had spread aggressively throughout his body.
School officials said about 50 MSU players and coaches boarded a bus and traveled to Birmingham to visit Bell on Monday and say their final goodbyes.
Bell died Tuesday afternoon.
Bell came to MSU from Jess Lanier High School in Bessemer, and said in a 2007 interview with Gene Swindoll, that it was the commitment MSU made to him and his family, that helped him make his decision.
“I would like to thank God for giving me the opportunity…,” Bell said after choosing MSU in 2007. “It gives me great pleasure to announce my verbal commitment to Sylvester Croom of Mississippi State University and the Bulldog family. [Coach Croom] is a real good Christian man who not only wanted me there, but my mom,” Bell continued. “I just like what Coach Croom is doing down there, how he is changing things and developing a real good Christian environment for me and my family.”
The Mississippi State Athletics Department said at 6 foot 3 and 265 pounds, Bell played in all 12 games during his redshirt freshman campaign and recorded 15 total tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss (3 yards) during his first year.
Bell played in the first four games of the 2010 season, and started against Auburn and Georgia. He recorded 22 total tackles in his career, including seven this season. He was credited with one tackle for loss in the season opener against Memphis and another against LSU.
The Mississippi State football team was informed of Bell’s death at a team meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
“This is a tragedy for Nick’s family, our football program, our community and everyone who had the privilege to meet and be around Nick Bell,” said Head Football Coach Dan Mullen. “Nick was a son and a brother to our football family and…[he] lived his life like a champion and will always be remembered in our hearts that way. During this impossible time, we pray for Nick’s family and all those he has touched.”
Mississippi State said local clergymen and professionals from the university’s Student Counseling Services will be on hand this week to help students cope with Bell’s tragic passing.
“Words can’t express our sadness,” said Scott Stricklin, Director of Athletics. “Nick was a model student-athlete and was special in the classroom, on the field and to those whose lives he touched. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, his teammates and his coaches. He will be missed by the entire Mississippi State community and our athletic department family.”
Funeral arrangements for Bell are pending.
Be the first to comment