Le'Veon Bell reveals he smoked marijuana before playing in NFL games
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell recently opened up about one of his more unusual pre-game habits. On the Steel Here podcast, Bell said that he not only smoked marijuana before games, against the NFL’s policies, but he also did so before some of his best games.
“Looking back on this, that’s what I did,” Bell revealed. “When I was playing football, I smoked, bro. Even before the games, I’d smoke and I’d go out there and run for 150, two [touchdowns].”
As the league continues to loosen its rules against the drug, more and more former players have come out about their use during their playing days.
In the past, Bell may not have wanted to broadcast his affinity for the drug, however, the league’s attitude toward marijuana in particular has shifted since it’s legalization in many states for recreational purposes. Bell is still looking to wrap up his career with one team or another, but it’s unlikely that this would be the thing that holds teams up.
The NFL and the player’s association negotiated a less strict policy ahead of the 2021 season, which was Bell’s last season with recorded carries. The league doesn’t test for marijuana between April 20 and Aug. 9. Once the window passes and training camp begins, the league can fine players for positive tests. However, they also raised the threshold for a positive test from 35 nanograms to 150 nanograms of THC.
Under the CBA’s former rules, any player who failed a test would get a referral to the league’s substance abuse program. After that, they’d receive a fine. Upon the fourth violation, a player could be suspended for four games, and more from there on.
Bell floats idea of retiring as a Steeler
Also on the Steel Here podcast, Bell told the hosts that if he announces his retirement, he plans to do it as a Steeler.
“The day when I do retire, it is going to be with Pittsburgh,” Le’Veon Bell said. “Before I do that, I may be like, ‘Hey, let me get a couple of carries in the preseason so I can show y’all something.’”
Bell could certainly tote the rock back in his heyday in Pittsburgh.
He was a first-team All-Pro in 2014, and he made three Pro Bowls while with the Steelers. The Steelers were the NFL team that took Bell in the 2013 NFL Draft, spending a second-round pick on him. They certainly got their money’s worth.
Bell topped the 1,000-yard rushing mark in 2014, 2016, and 2017 in Pittsburgh. He finished second in the league in rushing in 2014, third in 2017, and fifth in 2016.
In 10 years in the league, Bell amassed 6,554 yards rushing and 42 touchdowns. He also accounted for 3,289 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns.
Of those figures, 5,336 of his rushing yards and 2,660 receiving yards came while Bell was in Pittsburgh. So it’s only natural that Le’Veon Bell would want to retire with Pittsburgh, the team that gave him his start and produced his best years as a pro.