When former Purdue football star David Bell retired from the NFL after only three seasons, he cited an “off-field injury that was beyond my control” as the reason.
The Warren Central grad and former Cleveland Browns receiver went into detail on those circumstances via a lawsuit seeking over $300 million in damages. Bell filed suit in Pennsylvania’s Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County on Aug. 27 against entities of Jefferson Health and surgeon William Meyers.
In a Thursday news release announcing the suit, Bell’s attorneys alleged Meyers and other defendants performed unnecessary operations for financial gain. They assert the “core muscle surgery” Bell underwent was unnecessary, and that it not only ended his NFL career but nearly ended his life.
Bell's third NFL season ended after only one game when he suffered a dislocated right hip against the Jacksonville Jaguars. According to the suit obtained by IndyStar, Bell did not need surgery to repair that injury but continued to experience pain months later. Bell underwent a pelvic MRI at Cleveland Clinic on May 14, 2025, which did not indicate surgery was necessary.
Bell underwent another procedure five days alter after consultation with Meyers, known for performing the "Meyers Repair" surgery to treat core muscle injuries. The suit alleges Meyers, in collaboration with radiologist Dr. Adam Zoga and others, conspired to mislead Bell about the results of the MRI to justify the surgery.
The suit alleges Meyers nicked Bell's right femoral artery during the surgery. Meyers could not repair the damage, and Bell was rushed to Thomas Jefferson Hospital and underwent emergency vascular treatment.
The damages sought in the suit relate to the earnings Bell believes he forfeited on future contracts as a WR2/WR3 in the NFL.
IndyStar reached out to Jefferson Health, defendants and Vincera Institute, which is also named in the suit and for which Meyers is the president and chairman, but messages were not immediately returned.
Neddenriep: David Bell, who announced retirement from NFL, was one-of-a-kind competitor at Warren Central
The Browns selected Bell in the third round with the 99th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He played in 31 of 32 possible games over his first two seasons, totaling 381 yards on 38 receptions. He played only one game in 2024, dislocating his hip against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Bell announced his retirement on Oct. 14, 2025, saying that continuing to play would “literally risk life and limb.”
Bell was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year with the Boilermakers in 2019 with 1,035 yards and seven touchdowns on 86 receptions. He was a consensus All-American in 2021 after totaling 1,286 yards and six touchdowns on 93 receptions.
Brad Sohm, Bell’s lead attorney, said in the news release the lawsuit came after a year-long investigation involving examinations by multiple surgeons and radiologists.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Warren Central grad sues over surgery he claims ended NFL career, nearly his life