Former Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets operating again Le’Veon Bell says he smoked marijuana earlier than enjoying some NFL video games throughout his profession.
“That’s what I did,” Bell advised Barstool Sports activities’ Metal Right here podcast on Friday. “After I was enjoying 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,” stated 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. Gamers are fined moderately than suspended for his or her first three constructive checks for marijuana. The league does additionally not check 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 risk 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 12 months. Bell advised the podcast the Steelers wished to ensure solely his first 12 months of a possible extension, however he wished greater than that.
“Yeah, it was somewhat petty, the little assure stuff,” Bell stated. “I’m pondering like, rattling, might I’ve actually simply ate it? Yeah, I most likely might’ve. In all probability might’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 way of 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 while you immediately discover out that head coaches make an enormous distinction,” Bell stated. “As quickly as I get to New York, I discover that out like the primary week.”
Bell stated 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 subsequent season, resulting in the coach being fired.
“Bro, the crew wasn’t that nice, don’t get me flawed,” Bell stated. “However I really feel like if [Steelers] Coach [Mike] Tomlin was teaching that crew, we win 9 video games, a minimum of.”
Bell had quick 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 enjoying final season and dabbling in an expert boxing profession, Bell stated he hasn’t but formally retired from enjoying soccer. He advised the podcast he’d prefer to retire with the Steelers, however needs an opportunity to get a number of carries within the preseason “so I can present y’all” he can nonetheless play.
