Former Purdue wide receiver David Bell retires from NFL

INDIANAPOLIS — David Bell, who played wide receiver at both Purdue University and Warren Central High School, is retiring from football.

In a post on X, Bell wrote that he was “blindsided by an off-field injury that was beyond (his) control” several months ago. After consulting with medical experts about the injury, Bell determined that “continuing to play football would literally risk life and limb.”

Bell went on to write that he is retiring from the NFL, given the risks his injury would pose to him if he continued to play the game. In his statement, Bell did not specify exactly what injury he sustained.

“Football gave me memories I’ll cherish forever and taught me how through focus, selflessness and determination, the whole can be greater than the collection of individuals,” Bell wrote. “Thanks to God for guiding me every step of the way and for the strength to chase this dream.”

Bell is from Indianapolis, and according to his Purdue Athletics bio, he was Indiana’s 2018 Gatorade Player of the Year, IndyStar’s 2018 Male Athlete of the Year and IndyStar’s 2018 Marion County Athlete of the Year.

Bell caught 85 passes for 1,542 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior at Warren Central. By the end of his high school career, Bell had been dubbed a four-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN.

According to his 247Sports profile, Bell was recruited by Indiana, Penn State, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Iowa, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio State, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Syracuse and Purdue.

In three seasons as a Boilermaker, Bell recorded 232 receptions for 2,946 yards and 21 touchdowns. Bell had his best season in 2021, when he registered 93 catches for 1,286 yards and six touchdowns.

Bell’s stats at Purdue could’ve been even better, but he only played six games during the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

Bell was drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. In his first season with the Browns, Bell appeared in 16 games and amassed 24 receptions for 214 yards. He posted similar numbers in 2023, racking up 22 catches for 221 yards and three touchdowns across 16 games played for Cleveland.

Bell played just two games in 2024, catching three passes for 27 yards. According to the Browns’ team website, a hip injury sidelined Bell for the majority of the 2024 season.

“I’m so proud of what I’ve accomplished and intend to apply football’s teachings to my next chapter, and to help make the world a better place,” Bell wrote in the statement he released on Tuesday.