Le'Veon Bell expresses regret for 2018 departure from Pittsburgh Steelers

Le’Veon Bell is embarking on a new journey as a boxer although he hasn’t officially retired from the NFL. As he gets ready to start his next adventure, the former Michigan State star took to Instagram to discuss his exit from the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2018.

The Steelers used the franchise tag on Bell that year and he ended up sitting out the entire year after missing the Nov. 13 deadline to report to the team. Pittsburgh ended up not using the franchise tag on him the following year and he headed to the New York Jets.

In a lengthy Instagram post, Bell said he wishes he could do the situation over again. That said, he’s ready for his next challenge as a boxer.

“Obviously, I (we, whoever) wish things would’ve played out differently in 2018, like if I legit had a time machine to go back to 2018, that would be soo litttt … for soo many reasons but I don’t,” Bell wrote. “All I can do, all WE can do is keep moving forward with life. & life has taught me a lot of valuable lessons and formed me into the person i am today.

“I had moments in the last 6-7 years or so where it felt as if I was on top of the world, I could do no wrong, & I loved every minute of it. It’s also been moments where I felt alone, betrayed, disrespected, or used. It definitely didn’t make me feel the best but I never blinked. I’ve managed to embrace ALL of it, and use it as motivation to prove TO MYSELF I’m going to be the BEST as I shift my focus solely to my new sport, boxing!”

Le’Veon Bell says he will pursue boxing full-time

Former NFL All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell said in a press appearance that he will pursue his boxing career full-time instead of the NFL. Bell is preparing to fight another former All-Pro running back in Adrian Peterson on July 30 in a heavyweight boxing match, and Bell indicated that this is not a one-time event for him.

“Free agent running back Le’Veon Bell, who is set to box Adrian Peterson later this month, said today that he won’t play football this upcoming season. He wants to focus on his boxing career,” explained Pro Football Focus’ Ari Meirov on Tuesday.