Kendrell Bell Kendrell Alexander Bell ( born July 2 , 1980 ) is a former American football linebacker . He was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft . He played college football at Georgia . Bell also played for the Kansas City Chiefs . High school career . Bell attended Lucy Craft Laney High School in Augusta , Georgia . He was a three - sport star in football , basketball , and track & field . In football , he was an All - State selection and won " Atlanta Journal " All - South honors . In track & field , he was ranked fifth in the state in the shot put as a senior . Collegiate career . Junior college years . Bell attended Middle Georgia Junior College for two years . He was a two - time Super Prep JUCO 100 selection . As a freshman , he played fullback and finished the season with 689 rushing yards . As a sophomore , he garnered six sacks and 132 tackles , and helped lead his defensive unit to a No . 1 ranking in the nation . NCAA college years . Bell attended the University of Georgia and was a Child and Family Development Major and a letterman in football . In football , he finished his career with 153 tackles ( 10 for a loss ) , four interceptions , seven sacks , five forced fumble s , and two fumble recoveries . Professional career . NFL . Bell started in all 16 games for the Steelers during his 2001 rookie campaign . He was an excellent fit for the Steelers defense , most likely because of his blitzing abilities . The Steelers finished the regular season with a 13 - 3 record , earning them the top seed in the AFC . Bell was voted the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year . The Steelers defeated their division rival , the Baltimore Ravens , 27 - 10 in the AFC Divisional round at Heinz Field . The following week they went on to face the second seeded New England Patriots . Bell recorded 8 tackles , a sack , and 2 passes defended . Despite his stellar performance , and a late 4th quarter comeback , the Steelers wound up losing the game 24 - 17 . In 2002 , Bell was injured in week 1 of the AFC Championship Game rematch versus New England . He missed the next 4 games , but returned in week 7 to face the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night . He finished the season with 50 tackles , ( 33 less from his rookie year ) , and 4 sacks . The Steelers finished with a 10 - 5 - 1 record , and went on to face the Cleveland Browns . In an epic 36 - 33 comeback win over the Browns , Bell recorded 9 tackles but injured his knee in the final quarter and was listed as doubtful for the following week at Tennessee . Although hurt , Bell started the game against the second seeded Titans . He recorded only 2 tackles before leaving the game once again with an injury . The Steelers lost 34 - 31 . In 2003 , Bell amassed 99 tackles and 5 sacks despite the Steelers poor 6 - 10 finish . In 2004 , Bell injured his knee yet again , and would not see the field until week 9 . He played 3 games for the Steelers before he re - injured his knee in week 11 versus Cincinnati . In the 2005 off - season , the Steelers , ( who went 15 - 1 in the regular season without Bell ) , released him from the team . He then signed with the Kansas City Chiefs , where he played 3 mediocre seasons . Injuries prevented him from having the same impact he did in Pittsburgh . He was forced to retire in late 2007 , due to another series of injuries .