Pirates Re-Sign OL Wilson Bell
Massachusetts Pirates continue to start building for the 2023 season as the team re-signs offensive lineman Wilson Bell. The 6'4", 340lb lineman is going into his second season with the organization after playing a pivotal role in the offensive line for four games during the end of the 2022 season. Bell previously signed with the Pirates for the 2020 season prior to the season getting canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the 2022 season, Bell was signed prior to Week 13 when the Pirates traveled to Duke City to take on the Gladiators. The Mobile, Alabama native appeared in four games with the Pirates last season and started in the regular season against the Gladiators, Sioux Falls Storm, Iowa Barnstormers, and in the playoff game versus the Quad City Steamwheelers. Bell was a brick wall on the offensive line and helped the rushing attack average 72.25 yards over those four contests.
Prior to signing with the Pirates last season, he played for the Baltimore Brigade of the Arena Football League during the 2019 season and appeared in three games. Before joining the AFL, Bell was apart of the Jacksonville Sharks of the National Arena League in 2017 and 2018. After appearing in three games for the Sharks in 2017, Bell was picked up by the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League and after his release returned to Jacksonville.
Collegiately, Bell played three seasons at Florida State University and one season at Auburn University during his graduate year. At FSU, Bell helped pave the way for running back Dalvin Cook, who rushed for single-season records of 1,691 rushing yards and 1,935 all-purpose yards. At Auburn, he drew attention during the 2016 season as he was named to play in both the SPIRAL Tropical Bowl and the College Gridiron Showcase after that season.