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Dad Karl Malone a footnote in Demetrius Bell’s life
Allen Wilson
Updated: 04/29/08 3:54 PM

If you’re a fan of NBA great Karl Malone, you might change your mind when you start reading this column.

If you never heard of Buffalo Bills rookie offensive tackle Demetrius Bell, you’ll be rooting for him when I tell you his story.

Bell was a seventh-round draft pick and two-year starter at Northwestern State, the same Louisiana school that produced cornerback Terrence McGee.

Bell is the son of Malone, but the Mailman had no role in Bell’s success except passing along athletic genes.

The two have had very little contact during Bell’s life. His mother, Gloria Bell, reportedly was only 13 years old and Malone a college sophomore at Louisiana Tech when Demetrius was born. Malone might have served jail time had her family asked the district attorney to file criminal charges.

Bell didn’t even know Malone was his father until after graduating from high school. When they finally met, Malone told the 18-year-old Bell it was too late to be his father, and that Bell would have to “earn his money on his own.”

In a 1998 story in the Salt Lake (Utah) Tribune, Gloria Bell said, “Demetrius is ashamed that his dad doesn’t claim him. But I’ve told him it is not his fault.”

Malone also fathered twins while in high school. One of them is WNBA star Cheryl Ford. It took years to claim the twins, and now he and his wife, Kay, fully accept them as part of their family.

But what about Demetrius? Doesn’t he deserve the same measure of love and recognition?

I can certainly relate to Bell’s experience. I didn’t meet my father until after my 40th birthday. Our separation was under different circumstances, but I can imagine how difficult it must have been for Bell not having a connection with the man partly responsible for his existence. At least my father and I have a relationship now.

As a first-time father, I can’t understand how any man could turn his back on his own blood. There’s a word for that, and it’s appropriate: Deadbeat.

Fortunately for Bell, he’s doing just fine without Malone. Bell has clearly moved on with his life.

“All of that’s behind me right now,” Bell said during a conference call Sunday. “I feel good I made it this far. Nothing against him, but I feel good at this time. If he would’ve been there, yeah, it would’ve been good. But if not, it’s even better. Everything is a plus right now.”

Bell has come a long way as a football player in a short time. His high school didn’t have a football team, so he focused on basketball and was good enough to earn a scholarship to Northwestern State. He played in 88 games, with six starts, and was one of four Division I athletes to play basketball and football last season.

Bell didn’t play offensive tackle until three weeks before the 2006 season opener at Kansas. That was the first of his 22 consecutive starts over the last two years.

Whether Bell will stick with the Bills remains to be seen. Seventh-round picks are the long shots on a preseason roster. But a player of his athletic ability deserves a good look.

“I’ve still got room for everything,” Bell said. “I think my strongest part is pass blocking. But I’m getting stronger by the moment. That’s a plus on my stopping the bull rush. Run-blocking is always getting better when I’m adding bulk and getting stronger. And technique- wise, it’s all about the coach teaching me his technique or what technique he wants. I think it’s all on the upside.”

Here’s hoping Bell has a long and prosperous NFL career. He might never be as great in his sport as Malone was in his, but Bell has already surpassed his father as a man.
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wow, I've lost all respect for the guy

wow

Given the circumstances that Karl Malone should have been put in prison from messing around with a young girl, the least he could've done was give his son some money on the side or something.

When the story came out about the twins and how he didn't acknowledge them, even though they BOTH look just like his ass, I knew Karl wasn't about shit. They were like 15 or 16 when they first met him, I think. I was a HUGE fan of the Mailman and the Jazz. But as a man, he ain't shit. But I WILL give him this: somebody need to bottle his sperm cuz his progeny come out with major skills.

I have never respected Karl Malone. Biggest pussy the NBA has ever seen, except maybe for Bill Lambier.

Karl Tiger Malone is a (*^*&&^&*%$^ mofo.

Karl's response:

Dis silly dude here write article talkin bout Karl Malone son? Dont beleev everything you read on innurnets now. Just cuz some kid call up Karl Malone and say "Karl Malone, dis here your sun," Karl Malone poseda beleev him? If Karl Malone had dollar everytime someone say they Karl Malone child, Karl Malone prolly have nother 3, maybe even 5 doller.

Karl Malone dont be no bad dad, Karl Malone luv chilldrun. Karl Malone beleev in children dats fyooooosheeerrr, Teach him strong and let dat leed awaaaaay.

See, there, why Karl Malone sing song about chilldrun if Karl Malone not got love for them?

And Izekiel Thomas and Billy Walton, you need shut hell up for Karl Malone come over there and give you tast of Karl Malone elbow. Bill, you just mad Mark Eaton replace you as all time goofy lookin white redheaded basketbawl dude and Zeke, you just mad you only get ladydude lookin gurl in your truck and not fine lil Messicun gul like Karl Malone get in Karl Malone 18 willur truck.

If Karl Malone fail, if Karl Malone suckseeeeed, not no takin way Karl Malone dig-nuuuuutttteeeee!

bboy87 said:

SCNDLS said:

I can't take credit for it Some cat on Okayplayer wrote it

bboy87 said:

Iam so falling in love with you dude.

First the Rogaine imbroglio, now this. So not a role model.

dude has genes of steel

Jimmy Kimmel's Karl Malone impressions on "The Man Show" were simply incredible.