Mike Norvell’s departure from Florida State has brought plenty of reaction from former players, but Jaheim Bell’s message carried a particularly personal tone. The former Seminoles tight end posted a lengthy letter to Norvell on social media, thanking his former coach for believing in him, helping change his life, and continuing to push him during his lone season in Tallahassee.
“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to play at Florida State University, believing in me, and seeing something in me even when I may not have seen it in myself,” Bell wrote.
Bell transferred to FSU from South Carolina ahead of the 2023 season and became an important piece of one of the best teams of the Norvell era. He caught 39 passes for 503 yards and two touchdowns,
earned second-team All-ACC honors and helped Florida State complete a 13-0 regular season and win the ACC championship.
His message made clear, however, that his appreciation for Norvell went well beyond one season of production.
Bell credited Norvell for the “lessons, conversations, guidance and genuine love” he showed him and his family. He also mixed in one memorable practice story, recalling a day when Norvell yelled at him for roughly 30 minutes after he ran out of bounds.
“It’s one of those moments I’ll always look back on and laugh about,” Bell wrote, adding that it showed how much Norvell cared about pushing him to improve.
Florida State fired Norvell on Nov. 1 after a 36-24 home loss to Clemson dropped the Seminoles to 3-5. His tenure ended with a 41-39 record, highlighted by the 2023 ACC championship and a 19-game winning streak across the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Rick Stockstill was named interim head coach.
Bell closed his message by returning one of Norvell’s own sayings back to him.
“Keep your head up and your chest poked out,” Bell wrote. “Never forget the impact you’ve made on so many lives, including mine.”
For Bell, Norvell’s legacy at Florida State will not be defined solely by wins and losses. His letter served as a reminder of the relationships built behind the scenes during his time in Tallahassee.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: Former FSU standout shares heartfelt message to Mike Norvell
