University of Georgia Athletics
Quick Chat: Dillon Bell
October 06, 2023 | Football, The Frierson Files
By John Frierson
Staff Writer
With a thoughtful and meaningful answer to a routine question during a Quick Chat after practice Wednesday, Dillon Bell revealed a great deal about the young man he is and the person he aspires to be.
A sophomore wide receiver on the Georgia football team — though he's played more running back than wideout through the No. 1-ranked Bulldogs' first five games this season — Bell was asked about what he'd like to be doing in 10 years. The first part of his response was what you'd expect: the talented and speedy Bell wants to be playing in the NFL. The second part was quite different: Bell wants to help the homeless back home in Houston, Texas.
We all see the homeless in our communities, but how many of us take the time to see them as people? Years ago, at a local park, Bell took the time. It was an eye-opening experience, he said, and one that inspired him to help when he had the resources to do so.
Through five games this fall, Bell has 17 carries for 98 yards and two touchdowns, along with eight catches for 78 yards. The 6-foot-1 and 210-pound Bell was called on to assist in the backfield after the Bulldogs suffered a bunch of injuries during the preseason. Bell's having a lot of fun in his dual role, which you're seeing more and more in the NFL with the likes of San Francisco's Deebo Samuel and Atlanta's Cordarrelle Patterson, who's position-less position with the Falcons is call the Joker.
During our Quick Chat, Bell talked about wanting to help the homeless, Dawg Walk fashion, his go-to order at Chipotle, and much more. Here's some of what he had to say:
Frierson: What is your favorite way to wrap up a long day of school and football?
Bell: I like to go home and walk my dog — my dog plays a big role in how I relax — and I'll sit down and watch TV. I binge-watch a lot of shows on TV. Right now, I'm bingeing "S.W.A.T." on Netflix and "Gangs of London" as well.
Frierson: Did you play a bunch of different sports when you were young, or was it all football?
Bell: I played football, basketball and I ran track. I'm not going to lie, I quit track. That was not for me.
Frierson: Even though you're not a huge guy, I'm assuming you can dunk a basketball. Do you remember your first dunk?
Bell: I never dunked in a game. I always dunked in warmups and things like that, but never in a game. I just went to score the ball (and lay it in); I wasn't confident in my bounce back , and I didn't want to risk anything, or else I definitely would have done it.
Frierson: How much fun are you having in this new role in the offense?
Bell: I'm having a lot of fun — I love it. It's so comfortable for me, especially with the guys up front blocking for me and making everything easy.
Frierson: Did this come out of nowhere, or has it been in the works for a little while?
Bell: I'd say after some guys went down (with injuries), I figured that it might come. And then they put me out there, and now the rest is history.
Frierson: Who's the funniest guy on this year's team?
Bell: Whew! I'm going to have to say Jalon Walker. That's my dawg; J-Walk, for sure. No, yeah, ooh, actually, it's Rara Thomas. Rara is the funniest [laughs]. Rara and J-Walk. Rara is naturally so goofy. He's funny when he's not even trying to be funny. His whole personality is just funny. He's a character, a hilarious guy.
Frierson: I did one of these with Jalon before the season, and he talked a lot about how into clothes he is and how much attention he pays to what he wears at every Dawg Walk. Are you the same way, or would you be fine showing up to the game in sweats?
Bell: I love dressing up, too. I love it. I love wearing suits, but for some reason I can't find any of my stuff, so I've been keeping it about the same every week. I love black, so I'm wearing a lot of all black. Red is also one of my favorite colors.
Frierson: Has anybody ever talked about showing up in a tuxedo? I think that would be kind of cool.
Bell: I actually have one. I have tuxedo pants at home, I just can't find the rest of it. When I moved out of from the (East Campus Village) dorms and into my apartment, I don't know where everything is.
It might be me (wearing the tuxedo), with some cowboy boots to represent Texas.
Frierson: In a perfect world, what are you doing in 10 years?
Bell: I'm in the NFL and also having a business, a shelter for kids. That's what I want to do. I know I want to have a shelter for kids, that helps homeless kids. I want to run those all across the world. I'm going to do that as soon as I have the money to do that.
Frierson: That's a beautiful dream. What triggered that?
Bell: In Houston, there are a lot of homeless people. When I was young, I stayed in a rough area and I met this one homeless dude named Gilbert. Your parents say not to talk to strangers, but I was at the park, and he was always there. I got to talking to him, and he was actually a cool guy. He told me what happened to him, and I just felt bad.
We moved and years later, he was still there. And I would see more and more homeless people. I remember sitting at the park for two or three hours talking to him. It made me realize that I wanted to help people like him. He was probably 18-20 years old, and I was 8 or 9, and that's what changed it for me, for sure.
His story was sad, man. He wanted a second chance, but he didn't have anywhere to stay. He did what he did to survive.
Frierson: What's something you could eat every day and never get tired of it?
Bell: Chipotle, for sure. During summer workouts and in the spring, I had Chipotle every day. I never get tired of it. Even if I'm too lazy to go pick it up, I'll DoorDash it.
Frierson: Do you get the same thing every time?
Bell: Every time. I get brown rice, double chicken, sour cream, corn, pico and cheese. Last week, I tried one small thing that was different. I added the spicy salsa, but it's too hot for me.
That's what I get. That's my go-to. I think I'm going to go get that tonight, actually.
(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)
Staff Writer
With a thoughtful and meaningful answer to a routine question during a Quick Chat after practice Wednesday, Dillon Bell revealed a great deal about the young man he is and the person he aspires to be.
A sophomore wide receiver on the Georgia football team — though he's played more running back than wideout through the No. 1-ranked Bulldogs' first five games this season — Bell was asked about what he'd like to be doing in 10 years. The first part of his response was what you'd expect: the talented and speedy Bell wants to be playing in the NFL. The second part was quite different: Bell wants to help the homeless back home in Houston, Texas.
We all see the homeless in our communities, but how many of us take the time to see them as people? Years ago, at a local park, Bell took the time. It was an eye-opening experience, he said, and one that inspired him to help when he had the resources to do so.
Through five games this fall, Bell has 17 carries for 98 yards and two touchdowns, along with eight catches for 78 yards. The 6-foot-1 and 210-pound Bell was called on to assist in the backfield after the Bulldogs suffered a bunch of injuries during the preseason. Bell's having a lot of fun in his dual role, which you're seeing more and more in the NFL with the likes of San Francisco's Deebo Samuel and Atlanta's Cordarrelle Patterson, who's position-less position with the Falcons is call the Joker.
During our Quick Chat, Bell talked about wanting to help the homeless, Dawg Walk fashion, his go-to order at Chipotle, and much more. Here's some of what he had to say:
Frierson: What is your favorite way to wrap up a long day of school and football?
Bell: I like to go home and walk my dog — my dog plays a big role in how I relax — and I'll sit down and watch TV. I binge-watch a lot of shows on TV. Right now, I'm bingeing "S.W.A.T." on Netflix and "Gangs of London" as well.
Frierson: Did you play a bunch of different sports when you were young, or was it all football?
Bell: I played football, basketball and I ran track. I'm not going to lie, I quit track. That was not for me.
Frierson: Even though you're not a huge guy, I'm assuming you can dunk a basketball. Do you remember your first dunk?
Bell: I never dunked in a game. I always dunked in warmups and things like that, but never in a game. I just went to score the ball (and lay it in); I wasn't confident in my bounce back , and I didn't want to risk anything, or else I definitely would have done it.
Frierson: How much fun are you having in this new role in the offense?
Bell: I'm having a lot of fun — I love it. It's so comfortable for me, especially with the guys up front blocking for me and making everything easy.
Frierson: Did this come out of nowhere, or has it been in the works for a little while?
Bell: I'd say after some guys went down (with injuries), I figured that it might come. And then they put me out there, and now the rest is history.
Frierson: Who's the funniest guy on this year's team?
Bell: Whew! I'm going to have to say Jalon Walker. That's my dawg; J-Walk, for sure. No, yeah, ooh, actually, it's Rara Thomas. Rara is the funniest [laughs]. Rara and J-Walk. Rara is naturally so goofy. He's funny when he's not even trying to be funny. His whole personality is just funny. He's a character, a hilarious guy.
Frierson: I did one of these with Jalon before the season, and he talked a lot about how into clothes he is and how much attention he pays to what he wears at every Dawg Walk. Are you the same way, or would you be fine showing up to the game in sweats?
Bell: I love dressing up, too. I love it. I love wearing suits, but for some reason I can't find any of my stuff, so I've been keeping it about the same every week. I love black, so I'm wearing a lot of all black. Red is also one of my favorite colors.
Frierson: Has anybody ever talked about showing up in a tuxedo? I think that would be kind of cool.
Bell: I actually have one. I have tuxedo pants at home, I just can't find the rest of it. When I moved out of from the (East Campus Village) dorms and into my apartment, I don't know where everything is.
It might be me (wearing the tuxedo), with some cowboy boots to represent Texas.
Frierson: In a perfect world, what are you doing in 10 years?
Bell: I'm in the NFL and also having a business, a shelter for kids. That's what I want to do. I know I want to have a shelter for kids, that helps homeless kids. I want to run those all across the world. I'm going to do that as soon as I have the money to do that.
Frierson: That's a beautiful dream. What triggered that?
Bell: In Houston, there are a lot of homeless people. When I was young, I stayed in a rough area and I met this one homeless dude named Gilbert. Your parents say not to talk to strangers, but I was at the park, and he was always there. I got to talking to him, and he was actually a cool guy. He told me what happened to him, and I just felt bad.
We moved and years later, he was still there. And I would see more and more homeless people. I remember sitting at the park for two or three hours talking to him. It made me realize that I wanted to help people like him. He was probably 18-20 years old, and I was 8 or 9, and that's what changed it for me, for sure.
His story was sad, man. He wanted a second chance, but he didn't have anywhere to stay. He did what he did to survive.
Frierson: What's something you could eat every day and never get tired of it?
Bell: Chipotle, for sure. During summer workouts and in the spring, I had Chipotle every day. I never get tired of it. Even if I'm too lazy to go pick it up, I'll DoorDash it.
Frierson: Do you get the same thing every time?
Bell: Every time. I get brown rice, double chicken, sour cream, corn, pico and cheese. Last week, I tried one small thing that was different. I added the spicy salsa, but it's too hot for me.
That's what I get. That's my go-to. I think I'm going to go get that tonight, actually.
(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)
Assistant Sports Communications Director John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
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