While he announced his football retirement in 2025, former Cleveland Browns receiver David Bell has filed a lawsuit against Jefferson Health System and 14 others and is seeking over $300 million in damages.
The lawsuit (via Ari Meirov) alleges that an “unnecessary surgery nearly killed him” and was also responsible for ending his NFL career.
Former #Browns WR David Bell has filed a lawsuit seeking more than $300 million in damages against Jefferson Health System and 14 other defendants, alleging that an unnecessary surgery nearly killed him and ended his NFL career.
According to the lawsuit, Bell was misled into… pic.twitter.com/KgrODLVLtt
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 15, 2026
Bell claims that he was misled into undergoing core muscle surgery based on misrepresented MRI findings. The surgery allegedly caused a severe injury to his femoral artery. This required emergency treatment that saved his life. The defendants are being accused of participating in a financial scheme that prioritized money over Bell's health.
David Bell's short-lived NFL career with the Browns
Bell was a once-promising prospect selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Purdue by the Browns. During his collegiate career, he was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Receiver of the Year in 2019 and 2021, respectively. Additionally, he made two First-team All-Big Ten teams and one Second-team All-Big Ten team.
He was dominant for most of his collegiate career at Purdue. Bell had over 1,000 yards in two of his three seasons in college. He also caught 21 touchdowns. His best season was in 2021. That season, he caught 93 passes for 1,286 yards (both were career-highs) and six touchdowns.
He played in 33 games throughout his NFL career. He caught 41 total passes for 408 yards and three touchdowns. Bell scored all three of his touchdowns during the 2023 season. That year, he played in 15 games, catching 14 passes for 167 yards.
After starting the 2025 season on the Browns' non-football injury list, Bell announced his retirement from football. The announcement was made mid-season on Oct. 14, 2025.