- Browns player David Bell became an uncle when his cousin gave birth 20 minutes after his game against the Colts on Sunday
- His team went on to earn a 39-38 win and the wide receiver told reporters the news was a blessing
Cleveland Browns wide receiver David Bell became an uncle during his team’s dramatic 39-38 win over the Indianapolis Colts when his cousin gave birth at the stadium.
Bell, a former Purdue University player, was back in his hometown of Indianapolis for the game with nearly 300 friends and family members in the crowd.
The wide receiver’s mother, Kareem Butler, said Fox59 the baby wasn’t due for another four days, but the baby’s mother went into labor when she arrived at Lucas Oil Stadium.
“She was due on the 26th, but her mother went into labor as we were crossing the street,” Butler said.
“So when they got here, they went to the emergency room. By the time they got her back there, the baby was already crowning and they delivered her here at the stadium at 1:20pm.”
After the game, Bell told reporters, “It’s a blessing, so her whole idea was to try to have the baby before the game, but it’s all in God’s timing.”
“It’s a blessing, so her whole idea was to try to have the baby before the game, but it’s all in God’s timing, so now I have a new niece, so hopefully I’ll see her when I get back to town, Bell said WLFI.
Capital Improvement Board, the entity that oversees the stadium, said in a statement: “We extend our warmest congratulations and wishes for good health to the family.”
“We are happy to be part of their history. We would also like to thank our partners at IU Health for preparing us for every medical situation.
“They do a great job of meeting all needs that come their way, and today was no exception,” they said.
Bell was pitted against one of his high school teammates from Warren Central, who plays for the Colts.
“It’s a special day for Far East Indianapolis,” former athletics director Marques Clayton said.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver David Bell warmed up on the field Sunday. His cousin gave birth to a baby girl twenty minutes after the game against the Colts
“We obviously had David Bell, a superstar student-athlete. And then the opportunity to face his high school teammate Julius Brents, Juju, it’s just a special day for the Warrior nation.”
“It’s great to have two kids from the same high school playing together,” Warren Central coach Shon Davidson said.
The All-American Marching Band from Bell’s alma mater played Hail ‘Purdue during halftime.
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson started the game against the Colts after missing the last two games with a right shoulder injury, but was ruled out after the first half.
Running back Kareem Hunt scored a touchdown with 15 seconds left, securing the Browns’ victory and bringing their record to 4–2.