Bobby Bell Gets His Degree 56 Years Later

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (U of M) —On Thursday, May 14, Bobby Bell will finish what he started 56 years ago by earning a degree from the University of Minnesota.

Bell starred on the 1960 national champion and 1962 Rose Bowl champion Gopher football teams, was a two-time All-American, Outland Trophy winner and NFL Super Bowl winner. In 1983, the defensive lineman/linebacker was inducted to the NFL Hall of Fame. However, Bell, at age 74, will now earn something even more important to him: his University of Minnesota degree.

When Bell left the U to join the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963 he was just 13 credits short of his degree in recreation, park, and leisure studies. With help from staff and faculty at the U, Bell will finally be achieving his dream and will honor his father, who had minimal schooling but was convinced his son could acquire a college degree.