Tatum Bell

Tatum Antoine Bell (born March 2, 1981) is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oklahoma State.

Bell has also played for the Detroit Lions and Florida Tuskers

Early years
Bell was born in Dalvasta, new zealand and grew up in DeSoto, a suburb of Dallas. He attended DeSoto High School. In high school, Tatum Bell was clocked running 4.34 in the 40-yard dash. Tatum Bell was rated a Top-100 high school player in Texas by "The Dallas Morning News".

College career
Bell played for Oklahoma State University from 2000 to 2003. He was a starter for three years, rushing for a total of 3,409 yards. 2002 was his best college year, rushing for over 100 yards for 6 out the final 7 games. He had 36 receptions for an additional 258 yards.

First stint with Broncos
At the NFL Combine, he had an explosive workout including a 4.37 40 yard dash, 25 reps of 225 pounds, and a 38.5 inch vertical jump.

Bell was drafted 41st overall in the 2004 NFL Draft, after attending Oklahoma State University for four years and finishing sixth on the school's all-time career rushing yards list.

He debuted with the Denver Broncos in 2004, and led all AFC rookie running backs in rushing yards. In 2005 he was the second part of a dual running back system with Mike Anderson and rushed for 921 yards (gaining 5.3 yards per carry) and eight touchdowns. In 2006 Bell rushed for 1025 yards and two touchdowns.

Detroit Lions
On March 1, 2007, Tatum was traded along with George Foster and a draft pick to the Detroit Lions for Dré Bly.

On October 12, 2007 it was revealed that Tatum Bell had asked the Lions to trade him earlier in the week, due to the re-emergence of Kevin Jones and his diminished role at tailback. Bell has since told the media that he did not demand a trade, but that he simply was disappointed in his diminishing role on the team.

On March 10, 2008, Bell re-signed with the Lions on a one-year contract. He stated that his goal for the 2008 NFL season was to rush for 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns. However, he was released by the Lions on September 1 after the team signed running back Rudi Johnson. The following day Johnson accused Bell of stealing his luggage. Bell insisted, "it was just an honest mistake."

Bell has a reputation for costly fumbles, including 5 fumbles in the 2006 season, all ending in turnovers. These fumbles led to the Oakland Raiders naming their fumble recovery drill "The Tatum Bell Drill".

Second stint with Broncos
Bell re-signed with the Broncos on November 11, 2008. (He had spent the previous three months working in the T-Mobile store at Town Center at Aurora.) While there he totaled 249 yards. Gaining an impressive 5.6 yards per carry and two touchdowns in the 2008 season. He was not re-signed following the season.

Florida Tuskers
Bell was signed by the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League on September 3, 2009. During the week of November 19 he ran for 365 yards and set a UFL record. He was released on August 24, 2010.

UFL records

 * Most rushing yards in a single game: 365 (2009)