Bell’s suspension reduced by NFL
Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, right, laughs with fullback Will Johnson as the two stretch Sunday before the start of training camp practice.
Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell suspension to start the regular season was reduced by the NFL Tuesday from three games to two following an appeal.
LATROBE – The Steelers and Le’Veon Bell got some good news Tuesday as Bell’s suspension to start the regular season was reduced from three games to two by the NFL following an appeal.
The reduction of the suspension means Bell will be permitted to return to the Steelers’ lineup Sept. 21 following the team’s game Sept. 20 at Heinz Field against San Francisco.
The NFL had originally also fined Bell four games checks, but reduced that to two games as well.
“As I have stated before, we were disappointed in Le’Veon Bell’s actions last August,” said Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert. “Le’Veon made a mistake and now he must learn from his mistake and focus on eliminating distractions from his life. We look forward to continuing to work with Le’Veon to try to help him reach his full potential as a person and as a player.”
Bell, 23, was suspended earlier this year for a violation of the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse when he, and then-teammate LeGarrette Blount, were stopped on McKnight Road in Pittsburgh last August on their way to the airport for a team flight to a preseason game in Philadelphia.
Bell, who was driving the vehicle, was charged with driving under the influence and marijuana possession, while Blount, who was released by the Steelers later in the season, also was charged with marijuana possession.
The NFL suspended Bell in April for three games and docked him four game checks. Blount, who signed with New England after his release by the Steelers, was given a one-game suspension.
Ironically, the Steelers open the regular season at New England, meaning neither running back will be available to play.
Bell was placed in an Accerlerated Rehabilitative Disposition program for first-time offenders of non-violent crimes and the charges against him can be dismissed and cleared from his record if he completes the 15-month program successfully.
As part of the program, he must abstain from drugs and alcohol, pay a $100 fee and court costs and complete a safe driving course. His license also was suspended for 60 days.
Bell led the AFC in 2014 with 1,361 rushing yards while also scoring eight touchdowns. In addition, he set a team record for a running back by catching 83 passes for 854 yards and three more scores. His 2,215 yards from scrimmage also set a team record and led the AFC, earning him All-Pro honors.
The 2013 second-round draft pick apologized to his teammates following the incident and has tried to move on from what he called a one-time mistake.
“I’m going to go out there and take the good with the bad,” said Bell, who is permitted to work with the Steelers throughout training camp and the preseason. “I’ve learned from it and I’m moving on.”
The Steelers signed veteran running back DeAngelo Williams in the offseason to help offset the loss of Bell, something the team was unable to do in a 30-17 playoff loss to Baltimore in January.
Bell missed that game with a sprained knee suffered in Week 17 against Cincinnati and Pittsburgh’s offense struggled without its all-purpose running back, rushing for just 68 yards.
Following a day off Tuesday, the Steelers will hold their first practice in pads of training camp today at Saint Vincent College. Practice begins at 2:55 p.m. … The team will not have another day off until next Tuesday.