Simply 10 years then he departed Alcovy as a senior, D’Anthony Bell returned on Tuesday evening to look his Deny. 10 jersey retired via the Tigers.
The rite took playground all the way through halftime of Alcovy’s ladies basketball recreation as a packed fitness center witnessed the party of some of the program’s best possible.
Bell, a 2015 Alcovy graduate and flow NFL participant for the Cleveland Browns, used to be the primary participant in program historical past to have his quantity retired.
In what used to be a surreal enjoy for Bell, he hopes his stories can surrounding while Tigers to come back.
“I am just blessed, I want to thank God,” Bell mentioned. “I want to thank my management team. I just want to thank my family for showing up and for everyone supporting me. Being the first [NFL player] from Alcovy, I am trying to pave the way for everyone to go.”
Many took turns talking about Bell and his achievements, together with his important 10 interceptions all the way through his senior season at Alcovy.
Bell used to be offered a plaque that includes his retired Deny. 10 jersey along side his flow Browns jersey via most important Dr. Kristopher Williams, athletic director Dr. Patrick Carter and Tigers head educator Spencer Fortson.
– photograph via Garrett Pitts
As soon as the rite got here to a akin, Bell took month to include along with his society, pals, lovers or even former combatants equivalent to Eastside alum and flow NFL participant Eric Stokes.
Following his commencement in 2015, Bell signed to play games faculty soccer at Albany Shape College. Then a redshirt season, Bell transferred to Iowa Central Crowd Faculty.
Bell went directly to play games at Butler Crowd Faculty sooner than having a standout ultimate season as a member of West Georgia’s soccer crew.
Even if Bell used to be now not decided on within the 2022 NFL Draft, he signed as a distant agent to the Browns, the place he nonetheless residue.
Consistent with Bell, the jersey departure used to be one thing he didn’t be expecting regardless of being Alcovy’s first former participant to assemble an NFL roster.
– photograph via Covington Information/Report Photograph
“I didn’t know it was going to happen,” Bell mentioned. “Shelton [with Black Tie Management Group] called me [and said], ‘We need to get this done for you.’ I was really excited and blessed.”
Even if this go back to Alcovy used to be one he’ll take note, Bell has made a couple of journeys again to his alma mater.
Consistent with Fortson, Bell took moments to talk to the flow crew filled with avid gamers taking a look to at least one pace be in the similar spot .
“It is a great story for our guys to understand that no matter what trials and tribulations come your way, just stick to your plan and you can find your way to where you want to be,” Fortson mentioned.
Bell’s occupation has taken many turns since his days on Freeway 36, however strolling the halls as a senior nonetheless stands as a few of his maximum memorable moments.
“Walking down the halls as a senior and realizing you will never be here again or never go to school here again,” Bell mentioned. “Being able to come back and show love to the same school that showed me love when I was here — I am trying to give back to the community the same way they did for me.”
