Le'Veon Bell Posts Apology/Explanation Video To Twitter After Suspension Reduction
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The NFL has reduced the suspension Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell is facing to start the regular season.
According to the NFL, Bell's suspension was reduced Friday from four games to three.
This statement was released by an NFL spokesperson on the suspension reduction:
"Le'Veon Bell of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been suspended without pay for the first three games of the 2016 regular season for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.
"Bell will be eligible to return to the Steelers' active roster on Monday, Sept. 26 following the team's Sept. 25 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
"Bell is eligible to participate in all remaining preseason practices and games."
Bell said earlier this week that he doesn't think this damages his character.
"People who know me, know what kind of person I am. I take care of my body, I go out here and I work hard, I give everything I can. So, the fact that they still don't judge my character, just from what people hear, it means everything in the world to me," he said.
On Friday afternoon, Bell posted a short video to his Twitter account and then quickly deleted it. In it, he apologizes and says he never purposely missed a drug test and never failed a drug test.
In it he says:
"This is Le'Veon Bell, running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers. I, obviously, want to clear some things up. First and foremost, I want to apologize to Steeler Nation for everything I've put you guys through the last couple of years. It's been a frustrating run for you, it's been a frustrating run for me, and I'm genuinely sorry for not being on the field and being available for you guys and helping the Steelers win ring No. 7. I'm not the perfect person, I'm not going to sit here and act like the perfect person. I've made mistakes, but I want you to understand I've never purposely missed any drug tests. I never failed any drug tests. I haven't smoked since December 2014. I want you guys to understand that all the drug tests are random. I got surgery in November of last year. They tried to test me in December and January, and I missed those tests. I couldn't go to the facility to get tested, they couldn't come to me and get tested, and I missed those tests and that's on me. I put all the blame on myself. In April, they tried to test me on a Saturday morning at 5:37 a.m. I ended up missing the test; I was sleeping, and that's on me. I can't sit here and blame anybody else for missing my tests, but I just wanted everybody to understand, I never purposely tried to avoid or evade any drug test. I don't have any problems. After this whole situation is done, you will get a better person and a better player out of this, and it's still Steeler Nation."
Watch it here:
ESPN's Adam Schefter was the first to report the news of the reduced suspension.
Steelers' RB LeVeon Bell is having his suspension reduced from 4 to 3 games, sources told ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 19, 2016
The NFL suspended Bell last month for violations of the league's substance abuse policy, and the reduction comes on appeal.
Bell reportedly missed several drug tests.
Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert released this statement on the team's website:
"We are disappointed Le'Veon Bell has been suspended three games to start the 2016 season. We will continue to support Le'Veon, but we acknowledge this mistake has put the team in an unfortunate position. We will continue to work with Le'Veon to help him eliminate distractions in his life so he can reach his full potential as a member of our community as well as a player for the Pittsburgh Steelers."
Last year, Bell had a four-game suspension reduced to two games after a marijuana incident with former Steeler LeGarrette Blount in Ross Township.
As part of this latest suspension reduction, which was a negotiated settlement between the NFL and NFL Players Association, "Bell will remain in his current stage of the substance-abuse program."
The running back is now eligible to return to the team in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
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