Vonn Bell

2018 Inductee

Vonn Christian Bell was a member of the Ridgeland High School class of 2013.

Heavily involved in the lift of his community and school, Mr. Bell is a member of Olivet Baptist Church, where he was active in Sunday School, male mentoring, and the usher ministry. He was an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and a two-year volunteer for the Special Olympics. Mr. Bell led mentoring sessions for elementary and middle school classes, and he organized a summer mini-camp for the youth of Rossville.

Mr. Bell was a standout athlete in basketball during his freshman, sophomore and junior years, and track and field during his junior year, but it was his amazing years as a football player that solidified the return of Ridgeland to its football dominance.

During his Junior year, he earned the following honors and distinctions:

  • Best of Preps Defensive Player of the Year

  • Two-way starter with 178 tackles on defense (119 of them solo stops), along with 5 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, and 5 recovered fumbles (3 of which were returned for touchdowns). On offense, he collected 31 receptions for 487 yards and 6 touchdowns.

  • E.B. “Red” Etter Award as the area’s Top Football Player for 2012

During his Senior year, he was named the Best of Preps Best Male Athlete of 2013, and he won his second consecutive E.B. “Red” Etter Award as the area’s Top Football Player.

For his accomplishments, he was rated by Rivals.com, Scout.com, and 247Sports as a five-star recruit and the number 2 safety in the country. He was rated a high four-star by ESPN who also rated him the 50th best overall player in the nation regardless of position.

In 2013, Mr. Bell was invited to participate in the elite Under Armour All-American game.

Mr. Bell went on to play safety for the Ohio State University, in what many might consider to be a rather lackluster collegiate career. As a Buckeye, Mr. Bell received the following honors and distinctions:

  • A member of the 2013 Big Ten Legends Division Championship team

  • A member of the 2014 & 2015 Big Ten East Division Championship teams

  • A member of the 2014 Big Ten Championship, Sugar Bowl Championship, and College Football Playoff National Championship Team

  • A m,ember of the 2015 Fiesta Bowl Championship Team

  • 2015 First-Team All Big Ten selection

  • 2015 First-Team All-American selection

in 2016, Mr. Bell was named the Greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame Athlete of the Year.

Following his All-American selection during his Junior year, Mr. Bell was taken with the 61st overall pick by the New Orleans Saints. And the rest…as they say…is history!!!

-2018, Rob Stinson