Former Florida A&M football standout turned Dallas Cowboy Markquese Bell will be honored at the Super Bowl Soulful Celebration. The elite hybrid safety and linebacker will be recognized on Feb. 10 on CBS at 8 p.m. as the 2023 HBCU Spotlight Player.

“I am humbly grateful for this honor and acknowledgment to be selected for the NFL HBCU Spotlight Player of the Year for the 2023 season,” Bell said. “To have it magnified at the Super Bowl is monumental.”

This award will place Bell among other highly accomplished players such as Russell Wilson, Deion Sanders, and other athletes awarded at the NFL Soulful Celebration.

“It’s humbling to be mentioned in the same sentence as Russell Wilson and “Prime Time” Deion Sanders, who have stood on this platform,” Bell said.

This season, Bell was a huge playmaker for the Cowboys. During the regular season, he was second on the team in tackles with 94 tackles, 60 solo tackles, and two forced fumbles.

Bell wants to build upon his success from this season going into the off-season.

“I know that I must work extremely hard during this off-season to condition my body to prepare for the everyday grind as a professional football player,” Bell said. “I am extremely excited about getting with my coaches and teammates this off-season to study my craft and add more tools to my toolbelt.”

Bell has shown that there is talent hidden in HBCUs. As a role model for future players, Bell represents what it means to come from an HBCU and thrive. Bell speaks on what FAMU meant to him and how he is giving back to HBCUs.

“I do realize God has placed upon me to lead and be an example for many, and for that matter, I have accepted my calling to be intentional in the most positive way that I know as to the lives I affect from those watching me,” Bell said.

Bell, a Rattler with pride and honor, feels obligated to pay it forward by reaching out and supporting his HBCU “FAMULY.” Bell has started the Bell Cares Foundation to help students and even his own business, Gramma Hands, LLC.

“I was raised by my grandmother and I want to be able to continue her legacy by giving a hand,” Bell said.

“I have been very successful and blessed being able to support and provide youth camps that strike out gang violence, mental health awareness, and health and wellness clinics for youths through my foundation and business.”

Brendan Brown is a Journalism Student at Florida A&M University and the Lead Sports Editor of campus newspaper, The FAMUAN.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Football: Former Rattlers star Markquese Bell to be honored by NFL