Nick Bellore
Nicholas Lalonde Bellore (born May 12, 1989) is an American professional football linebacker and special teamer for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Central Michigan Chippewas and signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2011. Bellore has also played for the San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, and Seattle Seahawks. Bellore has been named to two Pro Bowls as a special teamer. Bellore has also played fullback during his tenures with the Lions and Seahawks. Early lifeBellore was born on May 12, 1989, in St. Paul, Minnesota, and attended Whitefish Bay High School, graduating in 2007. He chose to attend Central Michigan University. College careerBellore started at linebacker for the Central Michigan Chippewas his freshman year and through his senior season. Bellore holds the second highest consecutive start streak at CMU with 51 games.[1] He was an All-Mid American Conference First-team selection on defense in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The Chippewas appeared in three bowl games during Bellore's career, winning one (the 2010 GMAC Bowl), only the second bowl win in CMU history. He was also selected as CMU's Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 and 2009.[2] Professional career
New York JetsAfter going undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft, Bellore drew interest as an undrafted free agent from over half of the teams in the NFL. He signed with the New York Jets on July 26, 2011, and was kept on the roster to start the 2011 NFL season.[5] He recorded 19 tackles in the 2011 season mainly on special teams. On October 14, 2012, Bellore caught his first career pass on a fake punt by Tim Tebow. He gained 23 yards on the play. Jets coaches looked into converting him to play fullback in training camp of 2012, but the experiment was short lived and he returned to linebacker. On January 6, 2015, Bellore was named to the 2014 Pro Football Focus All-Pro Special Teams.[6] San Francisco 49ersBellore signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers on April 3, 2015.[7] In 2016, Bellore appeared in 14 games where he started a career-high 10 games and registered 82 tackles, four passes defensed and the first sack, interception and fumble recovery of his career.[8] He was placed on injured reserve on December 19, 2016, with an elbow injury.[9] Detroit LionsOn April 3, 2017, Bellore signed with the Detroit Lions.[10] He was released on September 9, 2017, but was re-signed two days later.[11][12] Bellore would also start to play on offense as a fullback. He scored his first career touchdown on a one-yard reception against the Baltimore Ravens on December 3, 2017.[13] On March 14, 2018, Bellore re-signed with the Lions.[14] Bellore exclusively played on offense and special teams and did not log any snaps on defense. He had one rushing attempt, the first of his career, for zero yards and four receptions for 15 yards. Bellore also recorded 9 special teams tackles. Seattle SeahawksOn May 9, 2019, Bellore signed with the Seattle Seahawks. He finished the 2019 season with two receptions for 23 yards, including a three-yard touchdown reception in a Week 16 loss against the Arizona Cardinals.[15] Bellore was released during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020,[16] but re-signed with the team two days later.[17] During the 2020 NFL season, Bellore recorded 15 tackles and a fumble recovery along with one rushing attempt for five yards and one reception for nine yards. Bellore earned his first career Pro Bowl selection and was selected to the Pro Bowl as a special teamer. On March 18, 2021, Bellore signed a two-year deal worth $4.4 million, including $1.2 million guaranteed, to remain in Seattle.[18] Bellore finished the season with 14 tackles and a fumble recovery on special teams and one reception for nine yards and one rushing attempt for five yards on offense. During the 2022 season, Bellore played snaps on defense for the first time since the 2017 season. Bellore played fullback on offense, linebacker on defense, and was a key part of the Seahawks' special teams units. He recorded 15 tackles and one rushing attempt for three yards. On February 22, 2023, Bellore signed a two-year contract extension with the Seahawks.[19] He recorded 14 tackles during the 2023 season. Bellore was selected to the second Pro Bowl of his career as an alternate for the 2024 Pro Bowl as a special teamer. He replaced Detroit Lions linebacker and special teamer Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who opted out of the Pro Bowl. Bellore was released by the Seahawks on March 11, 2024.[20] Washington CommandersBellore signed with the practice squad of the Washington Commanders on September 2, 2024.[21] He was signed to the active roster on September 14, 2024.[22] References
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