Derrius Bell's playing days over

[PonyPride]

Derrius Bell's playing career is over. He met with a neurologist this week to discuss the longterm effects after the concussions he suffered last year against UAB and TCU, and was advised to call it a career.

"I don't know if it's genetics or something, but he said I'm prone to more concussions," Bell said at Monday's practice. "But now that my brain is getting back to where it should be, he said he didn't want me to put myself at more risk.

Bell said he had "a couple more concussions" in high school that he said left him "knocked out and unresponsive."

Bell said he was told that he should be grateful that the overall prognosis was good.

"The doctor had the results of my MRI and impact test, and he said it would be best if I didn't play" anymore, Bell said. "He said I should be happy it wasn't worse."

Bell had said that if given medical clearance, he wanted to resume his playing career. The news that he shouldn't return to the field was hard to take.

"That was my hardest 'not cry' ever," he said. "(SMU trainer) Mike (Morton) kind of prepared me for it on the way over, but I still got a little teary-eyed.

"I know it's best — you've got to be safe with your life, but it's still hard to talk about now. I totally understand the decision, (but) I'm not fully at peace with it."

Bell, a sociology major, will remain on scholarship, and said he will try to help out the team as some kind of student assistant.

[ponyscott]

Hey too bad, but his health is what is more important and he will be good as a student assistant with the DB backfield. Good luck to you Bell and get your SMU parchment.

[PK]

Sorry to hear that about Derrius Bell. It has to be really [deleted] him being the competitor that he is. Get a good education Derrius and put your competitive energy towards excelling at your chosen field of endeavor. We are pulling for you.

[Junior]

I know it's got to be hard, but it sounds like he's taking it in a very prefessional manner and with a great attitude.

Good luck, DBell, and thanks for all you gave the Mustangs.

[jtstang]

Tough break, the guy was a fighter.

[that's great raplh]

sad to lose him, but he has to do what is right for him

study hard!

[SMUSA2013]

such a shame... great player.

[EastStang]

Don't mess with a head injury, get a great education and move forward.