D’Anthony Bell Bio
D’Anthony Bell is an American professional football safety who currently plays in the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 17, 1996, in Covington, Georgia, Bell has built a reputation as a versatile and impactful defensive player throughout his professional career. After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, Bell signed with the Cleveland Browns and quickly established himself as a reliable presence in the secondary. His most notable professional moment came in Week 15 of the 2023 season when he intercepted a Hail Mary pass from Justin Fields in the end zone to secure a victory against the Chicago Bears. In 2025, Bell joined the Seattle Seahawks, continuing his NFL journey with his current team.
Early Life and Background
D’Anthony Bell was born on October 17, 1996, in Covington, Georgia. He attended Alcovy High School in Covington, where he began developing the football skills that would later carry him to the professional level. Bell’s journey to the NFL was far from conventional, as he would attend multiple colleges before finding his footing in collegiate football.
Bell’s path through higher education included stops at several institutions, each contributing to his development as a player. He played for the Albany State Golden Rams in 2015, then moved to Iowa Central Community College in 2016. He later spent time at Butler Community College in 2018 before finishing his collegiate career at the University of West Florida, where he played for the Argonauts from 2019 to 2021.
Path to the NFL
Bell’s winding college journey made his eventual arrival in the NFL all the more remarkable. Despite the unconventional route through multiple junior colleges and smaller programs, Bell’s talent and dedication eventually caught the attention of NFL scouts. His performance at West Florida, particularly during his final seasons, demonstrated his ability to be a playmaking safety at a high level.
The 2022 NFL Draft came and went without Bell’s name being called, making him an undrafted free agent. However, his persistence and strong pre-draft workouts attracted interest from professional teams, setting the stage for the next chapter of his football career.
D’Anthony Bell Career
Cleveland Browns (2022–2024)
On April 30, 2022, Bell signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent following the conclusion of the 2022 NFL Draft. This signing marked the beginning of his professional football career. Bell impressed the Browns coaching staff during training camp and made the team’s final 53-man roster, securing his spot on an NFL roster for the first time. With this achievement, Bell became the first player from West Florida to reach the NFL, a significant milestone for the university’s football program.
During the 2024 season, Bell appeared in 17 games for the Browns, including one start. This consistent playing time demonstrated his ability to contribute on special teams and in defensive packages throughout a full NFL season.
Seattle Seahawks (2025)
On March 24, 2025, Bell signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks. However, his first stint with the team got off to a challenging start. On August 28, he was waived from the initial 53-man roster before being re-signed to the practice squad on September 1. Bell received elevation to the active roster on September 13 and made his first regular season appearance with the Seahawks in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Bell quickly made an impact once on the field. In the game following his debut against the New Orleans Saints, he blocked a punt that set up a touchdown for the Seahawks. His special teams excellence earned him a spot on the active roster when he was signed on September 24. In 14 appearances with two starts for Seattle, Bell recorded 0.5 sacks and 15 combined tackles. The Seahawks waived Bell on December 30, 2025.
Carolina Panthers (2025)
On December 31, 2025, Bell was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers. This move added another chapter to his journeyman career, bringing him to his third NFL team within a single season.
Seattle Seahawks Return (2026–Present)
Bell returned to the Seattle Seahawks on March 24, 2026, signing with the team once again. Upon his return, it was reported that the Seahawks, who had won Super Bowl LX after Bell had been claimed by Carolina, would present him with a Super Bowl ring in recognition of his contributions throughout the season. This gesture highlighted Bell’s value to the organization even during his brief initial tenure with the team.
Playing Style and Strengths
Bell has developed a reputation as a versatile safety capable of making an impact in multiple facets of the game. His playmaking ability was on full display during his time with the Browns when he read a play perfectly to intercept a Hail Mary pass in the end zone. His special teams contributions, including blocked punts and emergency appearances at other positions, demonstrate his adaptability and willingness to do whatever the team needs. Bell’s range and instincts in the secondary allow him to make plays on the ball, while his tackling ability makes him a reliable option against the run.
Notable Events and Milestones
Bell’s interception against the Chicago Bears in Week 15 of the 2023 season stands as one of the defining moments of his career. With the Browns trailing late in the game, Bell tracked Justin Fields’ desperation pass through the air, positioning himself to make the catch after the ball deflected off multiple hands in the end zone. The play secured a 20-17 victory for Cleveland and showcased Bell’s awareness and ball skills. Additionally, Bell’s willingness to step in as an emergency kicker during a game against the Houston Texans, when both the placekicker and punter were injured, exemplified his team-first mentality and positional versatility.
D’Anthony Bell Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career spanning from 2022 to present, Bell has accumulated meaningful statistics across multiple seasons with the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks. His versatility has allowed him to contribute in both defensive and special teams roles throughout his professional career.
Career NFL Statistics
Bell’s career totals include 76 combined tackles, 0.5 sacks, 4 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble. His two career interceptions include his memorable pick against the Chicago Bears in 2023. The forced fumble demonstrates his ability to create turnovers when opportunities arise. Bell has appeared in over 30 career NFL games, including postseason appearances where applicable.
Season-by-Season Highlights
Bell’s rookie season with the Browns in 2022 saw him make the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent, an achievement that laid the foundation for his professional career. The 2023 season brought his signature moment with the Hail Mary interception against Chicago. In 2024, Bell appeared in 17 games with one start, his most extensive playing time to that point. His 2025 season with Seattle featured 14 appearances with 2 starts, 0.5 sacks, and 15 tackles, along with his notable blocked punt.
| Season | Team | Games | Starts | Comb | Int | Sacks | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Cleveland Browns | 17 | 0 | 31 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2023 | Cleveland Browns | 14 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2024 | Cleveland Browns | 17 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | Seattle Seahawks | 14 | 2 | 15 | 0 | 0.5 | 0 |
D’Anthony Bell Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Public information regarding Bell’s family background, parents, or siblings is not extensively available in verified sources. Bell maintains a public presence on social media platform X, where he engages with fans under the handle @dbszn_. Details about his personal relationships or family life remain private, as the safety has chosen to keep these aspects of his life away from public coverage.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a significant transitional year for D’Anthony Bell. After spending his first three professional seasons with the Cleveland Browns organization, Bell signed with the Seattle Seahawks in March 2025. The move to Seattle required Bell to adapt to a new defensive system and establish himself within a new locker room environment. Despite making the initial 53-man roster, Bell found himself on the practice squad briefly before earning elevations to the active roster.
Once promoted to the active roster, Bell immediately contributed on special teams, most notably blocking a punt against the New Orleans Saints that set up a Seahawks touchdown. This play demonstrated his ability to influence games in ways that do not always show up in traditional statistics. Bell appeared in 14 games with two starts for Seattle, accumulating 15 combined tackles and his first half-sack as a professional.
The latter portion of the 2025 season saw Bell’s tenure with Seattle come to an end when he was waived on December 30. However, his professional journey continued when the Carolina Panthers claimed him off waivers the following day. The Seahawks’ decision to award Bell a Super Bowl ring following their Super Bowl LX victory underscored the impact he made during his time with the organization, even though he was not on the roster for the championship game itself.