Cowboys’ Markquese Bell to be named NFL HBCU Player of the Year

From @ToddBrock24f7: The dynamic safety/linebacker out of Florida A&M joins a long line of Cowboys greats who have come to the pros from HBCUs.

Jerry Rice. Walter Payton. Michael Strahan. Deacon Jones. Richard Dent. Mel Blount. Art Shell. Steve McNair.

Theirs are some of the most legendary names in NFL history, but their individual journeys to the loftiest ranks in the sport had somewhat more humble beginnings.

They are just a few of the players who came to the pros by way of the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities. And now one of the Cowboys’ own is being recognized as the most outstanding HBCU player in the game for 2023.

Safety Markquese Bell will be honored during Super Bowl Week as the NFL HBCU Spotlight 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 said.

The just-turned-25-year-old went undrafted out of Florida A&M in 2022 and made the Cowboys’ initial 53-man roster after impressing coaches during training camp. He was still learning the ropes during his rookie campaign, taking just 22 defensive snaps in five game appearances.

But his second season saw a huge jump in his involvement, as well as his production. In a safety/linebacker hybrid role, Bell was in on 649 defensive snaps in the regular season, representing more than 60% of the unit’s action.

Playing in every game (and starting 12 of them), Bell racked up 94 tackles, second-most on the team and forced two fumbles, also second-best.

But he won’t be resting on those numbers heading into his third NFL season.

“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, per The Famuan. “I am extremely excited about getting with my coaches and teammates this off-season to study my craft and add more tools to my toolbelt.”

There’s a high bar set for Bell in Dallas, as several of the franchise’s all-time greats also came from HBCUs, including Rayfield Wright (Fort Valley State), Bob Hayes (Florida A&M), Ed “Too Tall” Jones (Tennessee State), Everson Walls (Grambling State), Jethro Pugh (Elizabeth City State), Erik Williams (Central State), and Nate Newton (Florida A&M).

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Several HBCU alums are currently on NFL rosters: Javon Hargrave, Grover Stewart, Isaiah Bolden, Darius Leonard, and Terron Armstead are among them.

While the still-new NFL HBCU Combine and recent national attention given to smaller programs like Jackson State- under the former leadership of Cowboys legend Deion Sanders- have created opportunities for many players who might not otherwise get the looks from NFL teams, Bell is aware that he’s an ambassador for HBCUs and a role model for other under-recognized players every time he steps on the field.

“I do realize God has placed upon me to lead and be an example for many,” Bell explained, “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.”

There will be plenty watching in the fall as Bell embarks on his third season as a key contributor within the Cowboys defense.

Bell will be honored as the NFL HBCU Spotlight Player of the Year at The Super Bowl Soulful Celebration, airing Feb. 10 on CBS. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will receive the prestigious Faith in Action Award at the same event. Bills safety Damar Hamlin will be presented with the New Beginnings Award,” while CBS host and ex-NFL wide receiver Nate Burleson will be given the Lifetime of Inspiration Award.

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