A Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story



A Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story is a 1991 CBS made-for-TV movie that recounts the life of Ricky Bell, a Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back sickened with dermatomyositis, and Ryan Blankenship, a physically impaired child. The movie takes place during the 1981 Buccaneers season, including actual gameplay footage and a dramatized role played by Mario Van Peebles. Bell finds himself befriending an impaired child who inspire each other to become better in their own ways.

Cast

 * Mario Van Peebles as Ricky Bell (including actual gameplay footage of the real Ricky Bell)
 * Lane R. Davis as Ryan Blankenship
 * Polly Holliday as Ruth Weidner
 * Lynn Whitfield as Natala Bell
 * Susan Ruttan as Carol Blankenship
 * James Zachary as Lee Roy Selmon
 * John Schumacher as Charley Hannah
 * Duriel Harris as Danny Reece
 * Dennis Letts as Ed Warren
 * Woody Watson as Larry Blankenship
 * Marcus Allen as himself
 * Jay Pennison as Steve Wilson
 * Doug Williams as himself (only through gameplay footage)