Player Ricky Bell
Seasons 1977-81
College USC
How acquired 1st round pick 1977
How left Trade - 1982 - San Diego
Height 6-2
Weight 215
Date of birth 8-Apr-55
Pos RB
No 42
Games 60
Starts 50
The first overall pick of the 1977 draft but one who never really lived up to that billing particularly when you consider that John McKay chose him over Tony Dorsett who went to the Cowboys with the second selection. Was at his best in the playoff run of 1979 but his numbers went downhill after that and was traded to San Diego after five seasons in Tampa Bay. He sadly passed away in 1984 as a result of heart problems. The story of his life can be seen in the film "Triumph of the Heart".
Click here for a gallery of pictures of his Buccaneer career
1977
1
1978
1
1979
1
1980
1
1981
1
Games
Starts
Games
Starts
Games
Starts
Games
Starts
Games
Starts
11
10
12
9
16
16
14
12
7
3
Rushing
No
Yards
Avg
LG
TD
1977
148
436
2.9
20
1
1978
185
679
3.7
56
6
1979
283
1,263
4.5
49
7
1980
174
599
3.4
40
2
1981
30
80
2.7
8
0
Total
820
3,057
3.7
56
16
Receiving
No
Yards
Avg
LG
TD
1977
11
88
8.0
23
0
1978
15
122
8.1
22
0
1979
25
248
9.9
26
2
1980
38
292
7.7
22
1
1981
8
92
11.5
22
3
Total
97
842
8.7
26
16