Bell stresses importance of education
Former NFL offensive lineman had a simple message for the Seguin Cougars during his virtual engagement with more than 100 students Thursday morning.
鈥淒o what鈥檚 right, and you鈥檒l get rewarded,鈥 Bell said. 鈥淒on鈥檛 be the distraction.鈥
Bell, who spent ten seasons in the NFL, was the school鈥檚 guest speaker for Black History Month. The Greenville, Tex., native who spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, talked about his career and the lessons he鈥檚 learned throughout his life.
Bell talked about inspirations like Civil Rights hero Ruby Bridges, poet Maya Angelou and his mother. While his speech was tied to Black History, he didn鈥檛 want to limit his reach to that.
鈥淚 know it鈥檚 Black History Month, but it doesn鈥檛 matter if you鈥檙e black or white, do what鈥檚 right,鈥 Bell said.
Bell stressed the importance of education and time management, using himself as an example. He didn鈥檛 take his studies seriously early in high school, limiting his college chances. He realized that in time to secure a scholarship to New Mexico. And while he left college after his junior year, Bell didn鈥檛 forget about his education. He鈥檚 currently back in school, trying to get his degree and thinking ahead to graduate school.
鈥淭o get achievements, you have to challenge yourself,鈥 Bell said. 鈥淚 took the hard route. When you鈥檙e in school, you have to listen to your teachers. That鈥檚 their time. You could be a politician. You need to study law. You could be a doctor. You need to study math. You can be a scientist. That鈥檚 why you take physics. That鈥檚 why you take biology.鈥
After speaking for more than 30 minutes, Bell answered questions from Seguin assistant principal Billy Linson, Seguin students and staff members.
鈥淏yron Bell鈥檚 words of encouragement to our staff and students reinforced my why in education,鈥 Linson said. 鈥淚t lit a fire in me to continue to remind students to enjoy the process because 鈥楢chievement takes time.鈥欌