Markquese Bell is a product of Bridgeton, New Jersey.

Yet, Tallahassee still has a special place in the heart of the former Florida A&M football star and Dallas Cowboys safety.

Bell spent the last two weekends in town for the Rattlers’ Orange and Green Spring Football Game on April 13, then Florida State Varsity Club’s Celebrity Golf Tournament, and attended the Seminoles’ Spring Football Showcase on April 20.

Bell even delved into his philanthropic work while in Tallahassee.

While in town, the owner of the Bell Cares Foundation and Gramma Hands, LLC. took a group of children to local amusement center Fun Station.

“I come back pretty often,” Bell told the Tallahassee Democrat in a one-on-one interview at the Four Points by Sheraton’s dining hall.

“Just to come back to inspire the other guys and see all the familiar faces and the guys that came after me trying to achieve their goals ― it always feels good to come home.”

After going undrafted in 2022, Bell has completed two seasons in the NFL, both with the Cowboys.

In 2023, Bell started as a linebacker for the Cowboys and helped them win the NFC East with a 12-5 record and divisional round appearance, faltering to eventual Super Bowl runner-ups San Francisco 49ers last January.

“Time flies. I’m going on year three, and I feel like it was just yesterday when I got into it,” Bell, 25, said.

“I love it. I’m on a good team with a good staff. I’m inspiring the people I always wanted to be and being that role model to the next young man because I couldn’t reach out and touch that guy who actually did it.

“It’s a dream come true.”

Former FAMU football star, current Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell enjoying NFL

Finally fulfilling his dreams of playing in the NFL allows Bell to make a substantial amount of money.

When he joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent, Bell signed a three-year contract worth $2,575,000, according to Spotrac.

While he enjoys the pay, the connections made with like-minded NFL players are one of Bell’s favorite parts in his current football chapter.

“My favorite part besides getting paid to play football is just the love of the game, camaraderie, and team atmosphere,” Bell said.

“Like, when COVID hit, that was the longest I was away from football. So, it showed me how it would be when it’s all said and done, and I got to hang these cleats up. You’ll miss that locker room and those talks with your teammates on the sideline, the jokes, and all of that.

“That’s my favorite part. Just being around the guys, going out there, and playing the game you love.”

This past season, Bell made the valiant move to switch from his natural position, safety, to linebacker under former Cowboys defensive coordinator and current Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn.

Bell finished second on the team with 94 tackles, only trailing Damone Clark. Bell earned the 2023 NFL HBCU Spotlight Player of the Year.

However, in 2024, Bell is expected to revert to safety under new Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.

Another good showing for Bell could line him up for a wealthy extension as he becomes a free agent following next season.

“Just going into it, I was open to anything,” Bell said.

“During the draft, I was getting questions about playing linebacker. It was something similar to what I did at safety while I was in college. I just wanted to play as long as I could get on the field and contribute to the team. I was blessed to get that opportunity. DQ (Quinn) saw something in me that I can go out there and get the job done. I’m thankful to him.

“It helped me grow as a player because now I’m returning to safety. I still have that frontline, second-level experience to know how it operates up there to help me with my game on the backend.”

Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell still a FAMU Rattler through and through

A well-traveled college football career ended with Bell at FAMU.

Coming out of high school as a four-star wide receiver, Bell got dismissed from the Maryland Terrapins football team and went to Coffeyville College, where he converted to defensive back.

Former FAMU head coach Willie Simmons recruited Bell out of Coffeyville, and from there, Bell ascended as an All-American talent for the Rattlers during his tenure from 2019 to 2021.

Five years after starring for the FAMU football program, Bell still appreciates Simmons giving him a second chance at playing NCAA Division I college football.

“I’ll forever be tremendously grateful to coach Simmons for coming to get me out of Coffeyville, Kansas, and giving me that opportunity to step on the football field again to do what I love and try to provide for my family,” Bell said.

After coaching the Rattlers to the program’s first Southwestern Athletic Conference and Celebration Bowl titles, Simmons departed from FAMU on Jan. 1 to be the running backs coach at Duke.

“It was a shock,” Bell said of Simmons leaving FAMU for Duke.

“He’s striving for better things and trying to provide for his family, and I can’t do anything but be happy for him and root the guy on. I wish him the best at Duke with the running backs.”

Replacing Simmons at FAMU is James Colzie III.

Colzie joined the Rattlers’ staff in 2022 to coach the cornerbacks, a season shy of Bell’s final year at FAMU.

Still, Bell has been around the current FAMU football program and believes Colzie could experience similar success to Simmons.

“We’ve had our exchanges, and I know he’s going to do a great job,” Bell said of Colzie. “The program is in good hands.”

Constant drive pushes FAMU football star Markquese Bell to NFL dreams with prestigious Dallas Cowboys franchise

What’s unique about Bell’s ongoing NFL career is that he plays for the most valuable sports franchise.

Donning the moniker, ‘America’s Team,’ playing for the Cowboys shoulders Bell with chasing excellence every time he steps on the football field.

And he says if he underperforms to the Cowboys’ standards, he will hear about it.

“Yeah, it’s pressure. The Cowboys demand success. It’s not an option,” Bell said. “With the organization being as good as it is with all the support staff and people working around it, it helps when you get out there on the field.

“You know, we got support from the fans, even though we have some crazy fans. I’ll get on Instagram, and sometimes they’re with me, and sometimes they’re not,” Bell joked. “You got to take the good with the bad. That’s just how it rolls.

“I love the organization.”

Bell’s pursuit of the NFL took its bumps and bruises.

However, perseverance rang aloud for the HBCU and undrafted product to earn a spot to play the highest level of football.

Bell’s message to other NFL hopefuls from HBCU, Football Championship Subdivision, Football Bowl Subdivision, and Power Five players alike is never to give up.

“Don’t stop no matter how hard it gets or how tired you get,” Bell said.

“You’re going to have your tough days and nights where you’re up all night thinking about if it’s worth it. When you get there, you’ll say, ‘Yeah, it’s worth all that.’ Sleepless nights, blood, sweat, and tears they talk about are worth everything.

“Then you can look at your people and say ‘I got you’ and mean it. That’s just a different feeling to take care of all the people I love and did this for. Find your why. That pushes me more than anything.”

Dallas Cowboys, FAMU Rattlers' Markquese Bell

• 2023 NFL HBCU Spotlight Player of the Year

• Member of NFL Players Choir

• Ambassador for upcoming film, The Forge ― Releasing on Aug. 23, 2024

• 2024 Steve Harvey Charity Golf Classic Invitee

• Owner of nonprofit organization's Bell Cares Foundation and Gramma's Hands, LLC.

• Owner of Bangout Bullies Kennels

Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Football: Tallahassee in Rattlers star, Cowboys safety Bell's heart