History Makers, Barrier Breakers, Legends And More
September 23, 2022 | Football, Athletics, Joel Coleman
Frank Dowsing, Jr. and Robert Bell were not only trailblazers, but incredible human beings.
STARKVILLE – When you hear the names of Frank Dowsing, Jr. and Robert Bell, several terms rightfully jump to mind.
History Makers. Barrier Breakers. Legends. All of it's true for the first black varsity football players in Mississippi State history who arrived on campus in 1969 and paved the way for so many others to follow.
What you're likely not as keenly aware of is there was so much more to Dowsing and Bell. There are so many other words to describe the late heroes.
Humble. Determined. Loving. The list continues.
Ahead of a weekend in which Dowsing and Bell will once again be honored on the campus of Mississippi State with the wearing of special uniforms – 50 years since the icons last suited up in their own Maroon and White – it's best to celebrate all parts of who the two men were. And who better to give a glimpse at the makeups of Dowsing and Bell than those who knew them the best?
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Virginia Toliver is the sister of Dowsing.
Her brother was three years younger than her, and four years behind her in school, so she didn't get to witness too much of his playing career. She was in college when Dowsing was starring at Tupelo High School and in graduate school at Jackson State when Dowsing and Bell were blazing a trail for black athletes in Starkville.
Toliver witnessed just one of Dowsing's games at MSU. It just happened to be the 1970 Egg Bowl when Dowsing intercepted a pass in the end zone to seal a 19-14 Bulldog win.
"At least I got to the right one," Toliver emphatically said.
Make no mistake, though her own eyes didn't get to watch much of her brother's playing days, Toliver knew how much Dowsing loved football. His passion was evident through the years as he was a First-Team All-American as a senior and earned two total All-Southeastern Conference defensive back selections at MSU. He ended his career as the school's career leader in interceptions with 10 and still remains tied for eighth all-time in picks.
Toliver believes the roots of Dowsing's achievements were his upbringing, and all that's happening over the coming weekend is a celebration of the drive that was instilled in her brother.
"Frank was competitive and believed in hard work," Toliver said. "My grandparents and parents raised him like that. So, this recognition is the culmination of that hard work. When he went to Mississippi State and when he played at Tupelo High, he always talked about you have to always give your best in whatever you're doing and the only way it's going to pay off is through hard work.
"He used to talk about comparing the game of football to the game of life. He'd say, 'You go into it knowing if you're going to achieve anything worthwhile, you'll have to work hard and be able to perform. There'll be times of stress and strain, but you can't quit. There's no place in life or football for a quitter.' That's how he played. That's how he achieved. And that's what's being recognized this weekend."
When he was on the football field, many folks got to witness the fruits of Dowsing's labor. Fewer got to see how special he was off of it.
Toliver obviously got to witness it firsthand, particularly as it pertained to her daughter, Wilmetta Toliver-Diallo.
Dowsing was Wilmetta's uncle, but both Toliver and Wilmetta say he was more like a father. And of course, Dowsing just had to instill his love of football in Wilmetta.
"He started teaching her football when she was two years old," Toliver recalls. "By the time she was five or six, he had her calling plays. They were football fans for life. On Sundays, when we lived away, they'd decide which football game they were going to watch, then they'd talk to each other on the phone. And that was before cell phones. That was when we still had to pay long distance fees."
Oh, but there was so much more to Dowsing's relationship with Wilmetta. He was an inspiration through tough times.
"My daughter, even though she was younger at the time, she was having some problems in an interracial and integrated environment she hadn't experienced before – to be such a minority – and she used to talk to Frank a lot about it," Toliver remembered. "When she was about 12, he told her, 'Know your own strength and never let anyone define you.' I think that stuck with her and still sticks with her. It kind of really helped us to understand how to live, not only in an integrated environment, but to live in general. I thought that was some really wise advice he gave her and I've always appreciated that, among other things, that he always did for her."
Dowsing would surely be proud of all Wilmetta has gone on to accomplish. She's now an assistant dean in the college of arts and sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. She speaks of her uncle in glowing terms.
"All the things that a dad would do, that's what he did for me," Wilmetta said. "We had a really good relationship."
From instructing her on how to do her taxes, to teaching her how to fish, Dowsing was there to guide Wilmetta. He's left a lasting influence on her that she's continuing by passing it down.
"I saw him make decisions that weren't just good for him, but decisions that were good for his entire family," Wilmetta said. "He thought of things larger than himself. I always got that sense from him and saw him always put family first.
"I'm so excited he's being honored this weekend, not only for athletics, but I know at times, even when things might've been difficult for him, he always tried to live a life of integrity. I think that's so important and that's what I tell my kids about now. Although he was an athlete and that's really important, he was also a scholar and he was smart and he was a leader and dedicated to the service of others. That legacy is what I hope my kids take from him."
If Dowsing's away-from-the-game persona isn't clear by now, consider this. In 1972, he was elected as Mr. Mississippi State.
"That was unheard of back then," Toliver said. "It was because of how he treated people and they treated him the same way. That's how he garnered the support and admiration of his student colleagues and won that title."
Dowsing passed away in 1994 at the age of 42, leaving behind an incredible legacy.
Dominant on the field. Incredibly humble, intelligent and impactful off it. That was Frank Dowsing, Jr.
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Many of the same descriptors used for Dowsing could be said as well about Robert Bell. Toliver actually knew both men well, as Dowsing and Bell were roommates at State and would often visit each other's homes.
"Robert was a wonderful human being," Toliver said. "A lot of integrity and just an all-around great man who I was blessed to know as well. Frank had quiet dignity, as did Robert. They both had strength of character. They could both display grace under pressure, which is remarkable."
Like Dowsing, perhaps the best picture of who Bell was is gained from looking at his life as a family man.
Rose Bell was married to Robert and he was the love of her life. Robert died in March of this year at the age of 70, and he was such a part of Rose it's as though his presence remains with her.
"I still wake up and come into the room and look over at his seat, looking for him," Rose said. "I know he's not there, but I still look for him. I loved that man. I fought for him from the 11th grade, through college and then 49 years of marriage. I loved him so."
Rose and Robert's children speak of their dad in equally reverent terms.
Forget the football part. Forget the great teammate and defensive lineman that had fans shouting, 'Give 'em hell, Robert Bell!'
That Robert was great, for sure. But Robert the father? That Robert was absolutely amazing says son Terrence Bell, as well as daughters Robyn Bell Jenkins and Chelsee Bell.
"I always say, I compare my dad to all of the great dads on TV," Chelsee said. "I always say that Carl Winslow, James Evans nor Uncle Phil had anything on The Real Deal Robert Bell. His family mattered. He was all about the Bell Show having a good time with our very own fresh prince from Mississippi. We couldn't have asked for a better experience from a father. He has definitely shown us how a father is supposed to be and how a man is supposed to treat his wife. We are so grateful."
Robyn insists her dad had so much more love to go around, too. He absolutely adored his grandchildren and even non-relatives as well.
"The same way he raised us to build each other up and exercise and eat right, that's the same values and morals he put into everyone – the grandkids, the neighborhood kids. He put that in everyone," Robyn said.
Bell made everyone around him better. He gave his heart to Rose. He shaped his daughters. He instilled values (and gave football instruction) to his son. His cup then ran over to his grandchildren and others so lucky to have crossed his path.
Bell was all about others. He wasn't much at all about himself.
Need evidence? Consider this. His children knew little to nothing about their dad's historic football past for a long time. He just didn't bring it up.
"I remember we were at a gas station one time and Daddy was pumping gas," Terrence said. "Somebody came by yelling, 'Give 'em hell, Robert Bell! What's up Rob?' I was like, 'Daddy, you know them?' He was like, 'Nah. I'm just back around home. That's all.' He just downplayed it like it was no big deal.
"We got older and all started learning about the man he was and we were all like, 'Come on, man, you didn't tell us about none of this?'"
"We had no idea," Robyn said.
Added Chelsee: "He never said anything to us! He was very humble about it all. It just came out one day and I was taken back. I was very shocked. He didn't tell his coworkers about his past. It was his brother that had to tell people. He was just very humble about it."
Bell might not have been one to tout his own accolades. However, this weekend, Mississippi State will do it for him, as well as for Dowsing.
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MSU is hosting a Friday night event for the Dowsing and Bell families, then will honor the two great Bulldogs with the wearing of the throwback Dowsing-Bell adidas uniforms for Saturday's 11 a.m. game against Bowling Green.
The families are incredibly appreciative of the recognition. They've seen Dowsing and Bell honored at Mississippi State before – from the dedication of the Dowsing-Bell Plaza at Davis Wade Stadium, to the creation of awards bearing their names. But their appreciation for such things hasn't faded at all.
"It's like, 'Is all this really happening?' Robyn said. "For it to come back around and for us to experience this again, it's just…"
"Mind boggling," Chelsee said, finishing her sister's sentence.
"It's definitely a special week for us and we're very excited about the Dowsing-Bell football game and the weekend in general," said Toliver.
It'd be interesting to hear Dowsing and Bell's thoughts on the celebration. Knowing the two men so well, Toliver has a guess:
"I think both of them might say, 'What are y'all doing? We appreciate it, but we don't need all this. It isn't about all this. I had a job to do and I gave it my all. You can just say thank you and go on.'"
It's hard to expect anything other than humility and class from both Dowsing and Bell.
Sure, they were fantastic football players and foundation layers. That's worth remembering and celebrating all on its own.
Above all else though, they were examples for everyone – of all races and backgrounds – both then and still to this day.
"Basically, Robert and Frank accepted everyone as they were, and they were usually treated the same way," Toliver said. "They didn't have to deal with as many of the controversies that took place in other places. I think a lot of it had to do with their demeanor. They were humble, compassionate and kind and caring. That's what they displayed and in return, those same demeanors were typically given back to them."
