Bell Home in Georgia After Practice and Classes Put on Hold

LOUISVILLE, Ky .- There aren't too many players on the University of Louisville football team who has had to endure what senior guard Robbie Bell heading into his five seasons in the program.

He went from a starter to a reserve. He was limited due to injury and forced to watch in 2018 --- only to return as a starter at a different position.

For a number of reasons, Bell went from a full-time starter in 2017 to a bystander as a reserve offensive lineman during a disastrous 2018 campaign.

The 2019 season was a redemption year for the Hoschton, Ga., native who started all 13 games at guard and led the team to one of its finest all-around offensive seasons in recent memory. The Cardinals averaged over 33 points per game and 447 yards of total offense, while being one of the most explosive units in the country.

"The season was a lot of fun," Bell said. "Having coach Dwayne Ledford step in and lead the offensive line was a critical step in our development, and head coach Scott Satterfield bringing in a culture change was a positive step for the program."

The progress for the 2020 season has been cut short with a pandemic called the Coronavirus, which has shut down the country, including halting spring practice for the Cardinals.

"I hate that my last spring ball had to be cut short, but I certainly understand the severity of the situation," Bell said. "I thought I was and the offensive line as a whole were making great progress and looking really good. Now we just have to focus on maintaining the momentum we had for whenever the team is allowed to be together again."

No one knows when people will be allowed to re-unite again while the country is taking this tragic situation seriously and limiting social interaction.

Bell's spring practice was cut short and his classwork has been also limited, but he continues to work on his classwork despite already earning his degree last year.

"All I've been doing over the last 10 or so days is my online class work, working out, running, and playing video games with my little brother. It's been great to spend time with my family, but I also miss my teammates and coaches. I look forward when the country is back to normal and everyone can return to their everyday lives:"

Bell, a two-year starter at both center and guard, was enjoying his spring break before the world was put on hold while the country fights this deadly virus.

"I didn't do or go anywhere for spring break," Bell said. I just kind of went home to Georgia and did the same stuff I am doing now, which hasn't been too much."

Entering his last season, Bell has seen quite a bit in the program. He's snapped to a Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback, suffered numerous knee injuries, was regulated to the bench for a 2-10 season, and returned to the starting lineup at guard for a team that finished the biggest turnaround in the country last season.

"I've seen a lot and I've enjoyed my time here," Bell said. "I love the new coaching staff and where the program is headed in the upcoming years."

The redshirt senior is optimistic for the success of the upcoming season after the progress that was made in the short period of time this spring. The Cardinals' spring season was shut down halfway through its completion, but Bell saw a lot of development.

"I thought in the seven practices we did get that we looked really good," Bell said. "I think our offense was extremely explosive and we had a ton of big plays."

"And from what I could tell I think our defense was looking better too. I think they did a good job of not missing tackles when we were live and forcing turnovers."

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Bell Home in Georgia After Practice and Classes Put on Hold

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