MARTINSVILLE, Va. – A former Harlem Globetrotter, who also happens to be one of the tallest men in the world, made a stop at Martinsville’s Albert Harris Elementary on Tuesday.
George Bell is 7′8″, and has been featured in the Guinness Book of World Records before as the Tallest Man in America.
“Being tall to me is normal,” Bell said. “That’s how I look at it, because I’ve been tall all my life.”
Bell wears a size 19 shoe, and in his heart, he wears a passion for spreading positivity.
First, as a member of the Globetrotters, and now with his “Stand Tall Against Bullying” campaign.
“Bullying has become a big issue now across the country and in our schools,” Bell said. “A lot of our young people have no idea on how to handle it.”
Bell said it all started when he heard a student’s story from Hampton, Virginia.
“She was a prominent student,” Bell said. “Had a chance to go to college, had a full scholarship, was a great athlete and a good scholar, but cyberbullying caused her to take her life and when I saw that story on the news it kind of hit me hard.”
That’s why Bell is taking to local schools to spread his message. A message that school staff at Albert Harris Elementary are so excited to bring to students.
“We want to make sure that our students leave Martinsville City Schools with not only a good education, but knowing how to be a good citizen and a good human being,” Callie Hietala, school communications and community outreach coordinator said.
Bell said in his speech to kids that he was a bully that learned the error of his ways.
“Bullying is it’s a killer,” Bell said. “I’m just trying to save some kid’s life.”
On Wednesday morning, Bell will speak at Patrick Henry Elementary in Martinsville.