He played college football for the Eastern Kentucky Colonels and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL draft.

Bell attended George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester, Kentucky, where he was a three-year letterman in football as a defensive back and wide receiver.

In his three-year college career Bell was a finalist for the 2001 Buck Buchanan Award as the Division I-AA Defensive Player of the Year.

He was also named a 2001 All-American, two time All-Ohio Valley Conference safety (2000–01), and was the OVC defensive player of the year (2001).

Before his senior season in 2002 Bell injured his knee in a pick-up basketball game ending his college career.

[2] Bell played in 13 games recording 10 tackles in primarily a special teams and reserve role before suffering a broken leg late in the season.

The initial interception of his NFL career came vs. New England Patriots (11/13) when he picked off a Tom Brady pass in the fourth quarter, leading to a Dolphins touchdown six plays later.

Miami's leading tackler in 2008, and 2009, Bell signed a four-year, $20 million contract with the Dolphins on the eve of free agency.