Nick Bellore Bio
Nicholas Lalonde Bellore is an American professional football linebacker and special teamer who currently plays for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 185 cm tall and weighing 113 kg, Bellore has built a long career as a reliable contributor on special teams units while also filling in as a fullback on offense. He signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2011 and has since suited up for the San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, and Seattle Seahawks. Bellore has earned two Pro Bowl selections and has been named All-Pro for his work on special teams.
Over more than a decade in the league, Nick Bellore has remained in demand because of his tackling consistency on coverage units and his willingness to play multiple roles. He is also one of the most durable players in his position group, having appeared in games for every team he has joined. In 2025, he re-signed with the Washington Commanders on a two-year contract that runs through the 2027 season.
Early Life and Background
Nicholas Lalonde Bellore was born on May 12, 1989, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He grew up in the Milwaukee suburbs and attended Whitefish Bay High School in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, where he graduated in 2007. Bellore played linebacker in high school and developed a reputation as a dependable tackler, which helped him earn attention from college programs in the Midwest.
After completing high school, Bellore chose to attend Central Michigan University rather than accept offers from other programs. He quickly settled into the Chippewas defense and remained healthy throughout his college career. That reliability allowed him to take on a leadership role in the linebacking corps and play in a steady run of games for the program.
Bellore’s college career also brought academic and athletic balance. He balanced the demands of Division I football with coursework at Central Michigan, and his discipline off the field translated into preparation habits that have carried into his professional life. Family ties and a strong Midwestern work ethic helped shape the player he would become at the next level.
Path to American Football
At Central Michigan, Nick Bellore became a fixture in the Chippewas defense. He started at linebacker from his freshman season through his senior year, putting together a 51-game consecutive start streak that ranks second in program history. That streak underscored both his durability and the trust placed in him by the coaching staff.
Bellore earned three consecutive All-Mid-American Conference First Team selections on defense in 2008, 2009, and 2010. He was also named Central Michigan’s Defensive Player of the Year in both 2008 and 2009. During his four seasons, the Chippewas appeared in three bowl games and captured the 2010 GMAC Bowl, only the second bowl victory in school history.
Despite his production, Bellore went unselected in the 2011 NFL Draft. More than half of the league reached out as an undrafted free agent, and he eventually signed with the New York Jets on July 26, 2011. That opportunity launched a long professional career built on special teams play and positional versatility.
Nick Bellore Career
Early Career (2011-2014)
Nick Bellore joined the New York Jets in time for the 2011 season and immediately carved out a role on special teams. He recorded 19 tackles as a rookie, with the bulk of his work coming on coverage units. In 2012, the Jets briefly explored moving him to fullback during training camp, but the experiment was short lived and he returned to linebacker.
Bellore also showed his versatility on October 14, 2012, when he caught his first career pass on a fake punt from Tim Tebow, gaining 23 yards. He remained a steady presence on the Jets’ special teams through the 2014 season, and on January 6, 2015, he was named to the Pro Football Focus All-Pro Special Teams for his 2014 performance.
San Francisco 49ers (2015-2016)
Bellore signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers on April 3, 2015. His time in San Francisco represented his most extensive work on defense to that point in his career. He appeared in 14 games during the 2016 season and started a career-high 10 contests at linebacker.
That 2016 campaign produced 82 tackles, four passes defensed, and the first sack, interception, and fumble recovery of his career. The breakout on defense showed that Bellore could be more than a specialist, though a December 19, 2016, placement on injured reserve with an elbow injury cut his season short.
Detroit Lions Era (2017-2018)
On April 3, 2017, Nick Bellore signed with the Detroit Lions, was released on September 9, 2017, and was re-signed two days later. In Detroit, he expanded his role again by lining up as a fullback on offense. On December 3, 2017, he scored his first career touchdown on a one-yard reception against the Baltimore Ravens.
Bellore re-signed with the Lions on March 14, 2018, and spent that season exclusively on offense and special teams. He added one rushing attempt and four receptions for 15 yards while also recording 9 special teams tackles. The Detroit years helped establish him as a true multi-phase contributor.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2019-2024)
Bellore signed with the Seattle Seahawks on May 9, 2019. In his first Seattle season, he finished with two receptions for 23 yards, including a three-yard touchdown catch against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16. He was released during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020, but re-signed with the team two days later and went on to earn his first Pro Bowl selection as a special teamer.
In March 2021, Bellore signed a two-year deal worth 4.4 million dollars, with 1.2 million guaranteed, to remain in Seattle. He continued to be a core special teams player, then in 2022 played defensive snaps for the first time since 2017 while also serving as the Seahawks’ fullback. On February 22, 2023, he signed a two-year contract extension and later earned a second Pro Bowl nod as an alternate for the 2024 Pro Bowl, replacing Detroit’s Jalen Reeves-Maybin. The Seahawks released him on March 11, 2024.
Washington Commanders Era (2024-Present)
Nick Bellore joined the Washington Commanders practice squad on September 2, 2024, and was promoted to the active roster on September 14. He went on to appear in 16 games for Washington, working almost exclusively on special teams and logging 21 total tackles.
On March 18, 2025, Bellore re-signed with the Commanders on a two-year contract. The deal extends his stay in Washington through the 2027 season and reflects his value as a veteran leader on special teams and a trusted fullback on offense.
Driving Style and Strengths
Bellore is best known for his work in the kicking game, where he excels as a sure tackler on coverage units. His strength at 113 kg allows him to hold up against blockers in the middle of the field, and his experience lets him diagnose plays quickly. On offense, his fullback blocking and short-yardage reliability give coordinators a dependable option near the goal line.
Notable Events and Milestones
Bellore’s signature moments include scoring his first career touchdown as a Detroit Lion in 2017, earning his first Pro Bowl selection in 2020, and adding a second Pro Bowl nod for the 2024 game as an alternate. His 51 consecutive starts at Central Michigan and his first career sack, interception, and fumble recovery with the 49ers in 2016 also stand out as defining milestones.
Nick Bellore Career Wins
Nick Bellore’s professional resume is built less on win totals than on consistent special teams production and longevity. Across the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, and Washington Commanders, he has appeared in regular season games every year since 2011 and has been part of multiple winning campaigns, including playoff pushes with the 49ers in 2015 and with the Seahawks during the early 2020s.
NFL Regular Season Highlights
In 2016 with the 49ers, Bellore started 10 games and recorded 82 tackles, four passes defensed, and his first career sack, interception, and fumble recovery. He later produced 21 special teams tackles for the Commanders in 2024, demonstrating that he remains one of the most productive coverage players in the league. His two Pro Bowl selections, in 2020 and 2024, both came as a special teamer.
College Highlights
At Central Michigan, Bellore was a three-time All-MAC First Team defender and a two-time team Defensive Player of the Year. He also helped the Chippewas win the 2010 GMAC Bowl and posted 51 consecutive starts, the second-longest streak in program history.
Nick Bellore Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Nick Bellore’s immediate family is limited. He was raised in the Whitefish Bay community near Milwaukee and credits his Midwestern upbringing for his disciplined approach to football. Extended family and community support played a role in his development from high school linebacker to NFL veteran.
Personal Life
Bellore has kept most details of his personal life private. He resides in the United States and balances his NFL commitments with his family responsibilities. He is not publicly known by any widely used nickname beyond his family name, and his focus has remained on football and longevity in the league.
2025 Season Performance
Nick Bellore enters the 2025 season as a veteran leader on the Washington Commanders, signed to a two-year contract that runs through 2027. After appearing in 16 games for Washington in 2024 and posting 21 special teams tackles, he is once again expected to be a core member of the Commanders’ coverage units and an occasional fullback.
His experience and durability make him a valuable piece for Washington’s special teams coordinator, while his positional flexibility gives the offense a dependable short-yardage and lead-block option. Bellore’s two prior Pro Bowl selections set the standard for what he can deliver when healthy.
Heading into the 2025 campaign, Bellore’s role is built on consistency rather than volume. The Commanders will count on him to mentor younger special teamers, set the tone on coverage units, and contribute as a situational fullback. If he can stay healthy, another Pro Bowl-level season in 2025 is well within reach.