Delco Football Friday: Bell inspires change at Chester High
CHESTER >> A football coach at Chester High wears many hats.
Beyond the Xs and Os is the responsibility to mentor and inspire young men, many of whom live in violent neighborhoods in the city.
For Ladontay Bell, every teenager who comes through his program has a purpose.
“This is bigger than football,” Bell said at a recent practice. “With so many of these kids, they miss meals (and) their home life is a constant struggle. I’m just trying to do my part.”
Bell continues to go above and beyond.
In his third season in charge of the Clippers, he faces new challenges every day. Bell’s passion and hands-on approach hasn’t gone unnoticed. The Philadelphia Eagles made sure of it.
In January, Bell and several of his players went on a personal tour of the NovaCare Complex. The Eagles donated $10,000 for new equipment for the school’s weight room.
Days later the Clippers received a surprise visit during a workout from Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins, who presented a pair of Super Bowl tickets to Bell on behalf of the Eagles. The meeting with Dawkins was documented by NBC10 Philadelphia and on the Eagles website.
“It was a big surprise,” Bell said at a recent practice. “Meeting Dawk was great. He came in through the door, arms extended. It was amazing.”
It was the Eagles’ way of showing appreciation to Bell for everything he has done for the Chester football program. Bell said he sought to do things “differently” after the death of his former player, 16-year old Zion Abdullah, who was gunned down in June 2017. What Bell is doing to help young men at the high school in the aftermath of Abdullah’s death caught the attention of the Eagles. Bell ensures that his players are getting home on time after practice, not missing school and keeping their grades up. If they need someone to talk to, he’s there to listen.
“It’s different here than anywhere else,” Bell said. “I’m happy to see there’s more energy here, more togetherness. That’s been my mantra this year, to make sure we’re all sticking together. That’s something I tell everyone on the team from the players, coaches and all the way down to the team manager. We’re a team and that’s the most important thing. We stay together, we talk to each other, we encourage one another. If you’re wearing orange and black, that’s Chester and that’s who we are. No one is above the organization, we’re all together.”
Many of Bell’s players look to him as a coach, teacher, mentor and role model.
“He’s the best coach I’ve ever had,” wide receiver Shaheem Pharr said. “He talks to you in a way that you can actually see what he’s talking about. You have a vision.
“He’s genuine.”
Added senior defensive end Tylee Williams-Clark: “He motivates us to get stronger every day. You can see it out here in practice. We all want to be better because of him, it’s not only about football. He’s a great coach.”
As for that all-expenses-paid trip to Minnesota last February, it was one to remember. Bell was humbled and forever grateful to the Eagles. And if he wasn’t a fan of the Birds before, he sure is now.
“You know what’s funny?” Bell said. “I’m planning for our Super Bowl party. We’re going to invite a bunch of people over, have a bunch of food, get the Fritos and Doritos, and have a good time. I came home that day and said to my wife, ‘Brian Dawkins gave us two tickets to the Super Bowl.’ She said, ‘Get out of here!’
“She loves the Eagles. I’m from D.C., so I’m a Redskins guy. After what they did, I got nothing but love for them. They support my players, so I’m all for them now.”
Chester opens its season Saturday at Lincoln University against Haverford High. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
“We’ve got to be better and more disciplined this season,” Bell said. “Everyone is pushing each other and everyone knows to leave it all out on the field. That’s a positive for us. But we want to grow and get better every day, and like I said, do it together as one. There shouldn’t be any egos here.”
