NFL: Cleveland Browns safety D'Anthony Bell, a UWF football alum, records game-sealing interception
Cleveland Browns safety D'Anthony Bell's first career interception came in a big way on Sunday.
Bell, on a last-second Hail Mary attempt from the Chicago Bears, found himself with the ball in the end zone as the clock expired to secure a 20-17 Browns victory in Week 15 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland.
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Chicago quarterback Justin Fields had plenty of time in the pocket and released the ball, launching a bomb into the end zone. As several players from both teams jumped up for a chance at the football, it bounced off some hands before falling into the hands of Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney.
However, Mooney couldn't gain control as it bounced off his hands, as well, as he was sitting toward the front of the end zone. The ball was kicked up into the air as Bell was flying forward, picking up the interception to end the game.
The official return was for 6 yards as he slid into the ground. Bell recorded five tackles (4 solo, 1 assisted) and had another pass defended against the Bears.
Bell is no stranger to the Panhandle, as he was the first University of West Florida football player to make a 53-man roster in the National Football League. Bell went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, but was signed by the Browns immediately after.
Bell has played in 14 games with Cleveland this season with six tackles (9 solo, 2 assisted).
Bell made a return to northwest Florida earlier this year during the Argos' homecoming game – a 42-3 victory over Shorter University – when the Browns had a bye week.
"Seeing (Kaleb) Nobles as head coach, I like what he's doing. I like the structure that he's bringing," Bell told the PNJ during halftime of the Argos' game. "He's keeping that same Arete mentality that Coach Shinnick (former UWF head coach Pete Shinnick) has, so he's the perfect person to be in that position."
“We want these guys to know that it’s possible. In six seasons, we’ve got at least three guys that are playing at the next level. And D’Anthony Bell’s one of those guys,” Nobles said after the game.
Bell plays on the Browns with Martin Emerson Jr., a Pine Forest alum, who was caught celebrating with Bell after the interception.
Emerson finished the game against the Bears with six tackles (4 solo, 2 assisted) and a pass defended.
Ben Grieco is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He can be reached on X (@BenGriecoSports) and via email at BGrieco@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Cleveland Browns safety D'Anthony Bell records first career interception