DETROIT – Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell rushed for 860 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
He's poised for another big year, but as he told students at Allen Park Middle School on Friday: football is not forever. That's why Bell has a game plan for when his playing days are over: He's getting his master's degree in sports administration at his alma mater, Wayne State University.
"After talking to a few players and coaches, you know, networking around, I thought it would be beneficial to go back and get my second degree," Bell said.
Bell said he's already one year into the graduate program. He's completed some of the work online. However, he admits, it was a shock to students to see him in class on day one.
"Kids were looking like, 'Is that Joique Bell?' After a week or two, it got normal," he said. "Nobody really bothered me. I was like a regular student."
Bell said he's proud to represent the Lions on the field and Wayne State, once again, in the classroom.
"My Detroit pride level has been up there since my Wayne State days," Bell said. "I've always had that home pride. Always felt like Detroit is my home town."