Professional Football Hall of Fame Executive. He was the founder and first owner of the Philadelphia Eagles Professional Football team. Born DeBenneville Bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he began his professional football career when he founded the Eagles in 1933, serving as the team’s head coach from 1936 to 1940. In 1940, he sold the Eagles franchise and became co-owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, which he led for six years. Bell also created the National Football League amateur player draft in 1936 and founded the Maxwell Football Club in New York City, New York in 1937, which to this day presents awards to the top college and national players. In 1946, he was elected as the National Football League commissioner and served until his death. He died at age 64 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was posthumously inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.
Professional Football Hall of Fame Executive. He was the founder and first owner of the Philadelphia Eagles Professional Football team. Born DeBenneville Bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he began his professional football career when he founded the Eagles in 1933, serving as the team’s head coach from 1936 to 1940. In 1940, he sold the Eagles franchise and became co-owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, which he led for six years. Bell also created the National Football League amateur player draft in 1936 and founded the Maxwell Football Club in New York City, New York in 1937, which to this day presents awards to the top college and national players. In 1946, he was elected as the National Football League commissioner and served until his death. He died at age 64 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was posthumously inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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