Former Ram Greg Bell Has Plans to Run a Role Reversal

ANAHEIM â€”  During his Ram playing days, Greg Bell was as well-known for his nasty run-ins with General Manager John Shaw as he was for his runs. But after being away from the game for a year, Bell’s view of a general manager’s job has changed dramatically.

“That’s a position I’d love to put myself in,� Bell said, “because I’m a good judge of character, I’m a good judge of ability, and I know negotiations.�

How outlandish are Bell’s aspirations?

“No, it doesn’t totally surprise me that Greg would want to do that,� Shaw said. “We have had run-ins, but Greg’s smart and articulate. I don’t know much about his business background, but I could see him in an NFL organization.�

Shaw said there is even a possibility that Bell could wind up back in the Rams’ organization as an associate general manager or as a liaison between players and management.

“Greg has expressed a desire to do that,� Shaw said. “At this point, I would say that we are considering it. It would be constructive for him to do something like that if he wants to become a general manager.�

There appear to be many things Bell, who turned 31 this month, wants to become. In an hour interview, Bell mentioned he was interested in becoming a television sports producer and/or broadcaster, a radio broadcaster and possibly a sports agent.

He said he is producing a television show called “Beyond the Game,� and he’s also trying to sell a weekly radio talk show that he would host, “Weekend Wrap-Up,� to various networks. In October, Bell said he is scheduled to be a West Coast broadcaster for NFL games on Mutual Radio Network.

Bell is also passionate about educating youths concerning the dangers of drugs and alcohol. He is the founder and president of Athletes for Life Foundation, a motivational program designed to save young lives.

Bell originally started reaching out to youths while playing for the Buffalo Bills when he was a member of New York Governor Mario Cuomo’s organization, Athletes Against Drunk Driving. But in 1989, Bell founded Athletes for Life after his former Notre Dame teammate, Stacey Toran, died in an auto accident while driving drunk.

“You hate to say something bad led me to this, but Stacey’s death told me that there was something missing between a lot of ballplayers,� Bell said. “A lot of them go out drinking. A lot of them do things that they don’t really understand the ramifications of. If we can’t be the example, how are we going be able to show an example to the kids?

“If we’re overdosing or doing anabolic (steroids) or cocaine . . . You don’t know what the consequences are, except somebody’s gone.�

Bell has enlisted Notre Dame alumni Dave Duerson and Allen Pinkett to help as speakers and sit on an advisory board. In Southern California, Bell has a speakers bureau that includes Raiders Tim Brown and Nick Bell and Rams Darryl Henley and Jerome Bettis. No matter who is speaking, Bell said the message is the same.

“A lot of people think the way out of the inner city or the way to make it is by carrying a ball under your arm,� Bell said. “What we’ve done is allow these kids to interact with business America. The kids are meeting marketing people, lawyers, doctors and teachers. This gives these kids an opportunity to see what titles go with what careers and how to attain those things.�

Down the road for himself, Bell said he is serious about attaining a general manager’s position.

“My ideal position would be . . . I’d love to be the first black general manager in the league,� said Bell, who lives in Anaheim with his wife and two children. “From a mental standpoint, I could fill that role without a problem.

“I know a lot about football, probably more than most general managers will ever know.�

Bell knows contract disputes, that’s for sure. His former agent, Steve Feldman, said Bell’s battles with Shaw were legendary.

“They were brutal,� Feldman said. “I’ve been in a lot knockdown drag-outs, but those were some of the worst ever.�

Said Shaw: “I think that’s a bit overstated. We might have had our differences. I always liked Greg and he was a good player for us.�

Bell led the Rams in rushing during his two full seasons, 1988 and 1989, rushing for 1,212 and 1,137 yards. He led the NFL in touchdowns both seasons, scoring 18 in 1988 and 15 in ’89.

Bell complained a lot about being underpaid and underappreciated during those two years, and Feldman said Bell was justified.

“He didn’t want to be one of the highest-paid running backs, but his statistics warranted a lot more money than he was getting,� Feldman said. “The thing that upset Greg was that they offered him $400,000 and then they brought Curt Warner in (from Seattle) and paid him $700,000.�

Bell, who retired after eight years in the NFL when he was released by the Green Bay Packers before the 1992 season, said his differences with Shaw were blown out of proportion.

“Most people think I hated John Shaw’s guts,� he said. “I can’t say we were the best of friends while we were negotiating. I felt I wasn’t being done right and he felt I was too greedy. But I understood where he was coming from. He’s a businessman, a very smart businessman.�

Shaw chuckled when he heard Bell’s comments.

“I guess I’m encouraged by that,� Shaw said.

But even with their apparent newfound respect for each other, Feldman said Bell and Shaw working together would be ironic.

“That would be a strange marriage, based on what came about back (in the late 1980s),� Feldman said.

But Bell doesn’t care how odd the mix would be. He said he is just looking for a chance.

“Jerry Butler is director of player programs for the Bills and his position would be ideal for me,� he said. “It’s an associate general manager’s position where you’re basically learning the business of football from the inside. (Butler) is basically that interlocking link between management and players. In order for players to perform up to the best of their abilities, you have to keep them happy.�

Bell is even starting to sound like a general manager. Bell said even in the midst of his wars with Shaw, he was thinking like a general manager.

“I told Steve Feldman then that I was going to be the first black general manager,� Bell said. “He just kind of laughed.�

Feldman said he remembers the comment.

“We used to have conversations about what he would do if he were on the other side of that desk,� Feldman said. “The fact that he’s interested in becoming a general manager isn’t surprising. Greg has a good eye for talent and he’s extremely bright.�