There’s sad news to bring you this evening as former North Carolina State defensive back Ricky Bell passed away last week, the Associated Press is reporting.
Bell died Feb. 17 in Columbia, S.C., although no cause of death was given. He was just 36 years old.
Bell was a captain of the Wolfpack in the mid-nineties, and spent three seasons in the NFL upon leaving college. He ultimately landed in the CFL, where he won a Grey Cup with Calgary in 2001.
“I’m always disrupted and saddened when I hear that,” said B.C. Lions coach Wally Buono, who coached Bell in Calgary. “These are young men that you would never think would be passing away before you are. I’m a lot older than Ricky.
“For his family it’s a tragedy. For the CFL you have to give thought of that. He was a competitor. He was a good guy. He was a good football player and helped us win a Grey Cup.”
Bell is survived by his daughter Nyla.