Bull attended William S. Rogers High School in his native Newport, where he played baseball, crew, gymnastics, track and field, and wrestling, as well as football as a fullback and halfback.
He then played college football at Yale University from 1886 to 1888, coached by Walter Camp.
Bull served as the first-ever head football coach in Wesleyan University history from 1892 and 1897.
[2] In 1898, Bull entered the Yale School of Medicine, but transferred to the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons two years later.
Bull's uncle of the same name (1849–1909) was also in the medical field as a surgeon and professor of surgery at Columbia University.