Friday, December 2, 2016

1976 Rookie Profile: Gordon Bell

Running Back
4th Round
Michigan
"He made the All-American teams at Michigan both as a football player and a wrestler. He grew up in Troy, Ohio, still lives there, and enjoys fishing and reading."

-John Devaney, Schenley Pro Football Guide 1976

"Using the choice obtained from San Francisco in the 4th round of the draft, the Giants selected Michigan's All-American running Gordon Bell, a perpetual motion runner who averaged 122 yards rushing per game in 1975 en route to a 1,335-yard season. This sort of production won him Associated Press All-American honors, as well as first team All-Big 10 by both AP and UPI and an eighth-place finish in the Heisman Trophy balloting. Gordon's 1,335 rushing yards also ranked as the eighth-best total in the country in 1975.
While his senior year was an exceptional one, Gordon enjoyed fine seasons as well as both a sophomore and junior at Michigan. As a swingman tailback in 1973, he averaged 5.2 per carry on 475 yards on 88 attempts, then won All-Big 10 second team accolades in 1974 when he carried 174 times for 1,072 yards and a sparkling 6.0 average per trip. Gordon's three-year rushing total comes to 2,882 yards and he scored 28 touchdowns over that span. In addition to his postseason bowl game appearances, he was also a member of the group that participated in the Japan Bowl.
Gordon Bell was born in Troy, Ohio and still resides in his hometown. A business administration major at Michigan, he lists fishing and reading as his principal hobbies. Gordon should prove to have special value to the Giants since he is also a highly capable kickoff and punt return specialist."

-1976 New York Giants Media Guide

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