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Former Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets operating again Le’Veon Bell says he smoked marijuana earlier than taking part in some NFL video games throughout his profession.
“That’s what I did,” Bell told Barstool Sports’ Steel Here podcast on Friday. “After I was taking part in soccer, I smoked, bro. Even earlier than the video games, I’d smoke and I’d go on the market and run for 150 [yards], two [touchdowns].”
Jersey Jerry, who co-hosts the podcast with Kevin Adams, then requested: “Within the NFL?”
“Yeah,” mentioned the 31-year-old Bell, who hasn’t performed within the league because the 2021 season.
Bell was suspended twice for violating the NFL’s substance abuse coverage whereas he performed for the Steelers. Nevertheless, since then the league and gamers have reached a brand new collective bargaining settlement. Players are fined rather than suspended for his or her first three constructive checks for marijuana. The league does additionally not take a look at gamers through the offseason.
He started his skilled profession in Pittsburgh in 2013 and have become one of many league’s most dynamic and productive gamers. Bell was a one-time All-Professional and three-time Professional Bowl choice as a twin menace out of the Steelers’ backfield.
He sat out the 2018 season due to a contract dispute after refusing to signal the franchise tag Pittsburgh used on him for a second straight yr. Bell instructed the podcast the Steelers wished to ensure solely his first yr of a possible extension, however he wished greater than that.
“Yeah, it was somewhat petty, the little assure stuff,” Bell mentioned. “I’m pondering like, rattling, may I’ve actually simply ate it? Yeah, I most likely may’ve. In all probability may’ve actually ate it.”
Bell signed a four-year, $52.5m contract, together with $35m assured, with the New York Jets the next offseason.
However his tenure with the Jets was disappointing, lasting lower than two years earlier than he was launched halfway by the 2020 season. The operating again blasted then-New York coach Adam Gase on the podcast, saying he was a “horrible” play caller.
“Bro, we get to New York, and that’s if you immediately discover out that head coaches make an enormous distinction,” Bell mentioned. “As quickly as I get to New York, I discover that out like the primary week.”
Bell mentioned then-quarterback Sam Darnold struggled with the offensive line protections “as a result of he’s so confused about our offense as a result of the coach is complicated him.”
The Jets went 7-9 in Gase’s first season in 2019 after which 2-14 the following season, resulting in the coach being fired.
“Bro, the group wasn’t that nice, don’t get me fallacious,” Bell mentioned. “However I really feel like if [Steelers] Coach [Mike] Tomlin was teaching that group, we win 9 video games, no less than.”
Bell had brief stints with Kansas Metropolis in 2020, and Baltimore and Tampa Bay in 2021 after leaving the Jets. He has run for six,554 yards and 42 touchdowns in his profession, together with catching 399 passes for 3,289 yards and 9 scores.
Regardless of not taking part in final season and dabbling in knowledgeable boxing profession, Bell mentioned he hasn’t but formally retired from taking part in soccer. He instructed the podcast he’d wish to retire with the Steelers, however desires an opportunity to get a number of carries within the preseason “so I can present y’all” he can nonetheless play.
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