Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell facing 4-game ban for missed drug test

[pittpete]

I don't know about his intelligence level, but he's definitely manifesting signs of someone with a drug problem.

In my opinion people with drug problems are stupid...Intelligent people can still be stupid.

[pittpete]

Logic wins zero arguments with those who are stuck in the mind set that "marijuana is the same as cocaine or heroin"....

PS... I agree with your post.

Not a pot smoker, but have to agree.
While it's still a rule, it needs to be followed.

[squidkid]

No excuses for missing a test. What a dumba$$.

if you are dirty it is

[Shawn]

You could be right. Bell's problem could just be stupidity. But given that he already had a pretty severe (and costly) "wake up call" via his suspension last year, and given that he's seen what happened to Josh Gordon and Martavis Bryant, well, I think it's unlikely that he could be that stupid.

Drug and/or alcohol dependency can produce some very irresponsible, unprofessional behavior, even in those who are otherwise intelligent and responsible. I know they say pot isn't physically addictive, but I've known people whom I would say had some kind of psychological addiction to it...through which they fell from their former productivity and achievement. Some of them even got kicked out of school or lost jobs/careers.

If Bell's issue is drug dependency, then it doesn't mean he shouldn't be held responsible. It just means (IMO) that he's probably not going to overcome it on his own, without some outside help.

As for his future with the Steelers, whether Bell has a drug problem or whether he's just stupid, it may not matter; they may decide (perhaps rightly) that he's not worth risking a long-term contract over.

at least there is one poster here with some sense. Unfortunately, the NFL is punitive which doesn't treat addiction.

[Sword]

Will..Didn't I say we should have traded him in a post several months ago...
Once a pot head usually always a pot head....

[feltdizz]

Agree that DeAngelo is a good alternative. But I don't think it is safe to assume that a 32-year old guy can dial it up like we'd all like to think. I think part of why he played so well last year, was that he had so much to prove to people (in CAR) who cut him loose. Now, not so much.

I think we get a dependable but less dynamic DeAngelo this year. But I don't expect him to produce as he did last year.

On a related note, this can be a good thing when it comes to signing Bell, if he can learn to control his need for weed. Obviously, this favors the Steelers in contract negotiations. Also, it forces him to take some mileage of his tires... For a guy who's established such a star, he's missed good chunks of time due to the hippy lettuce and his unfortunate injuries.

nah, De'Angelo has always been a beast but the issue with him is injury as well. I think he will be fine for 4 games and he still has something to prove because he missed the playoffs vs Denver.

[feltdizz]

Madden may have been right, but he's still a fat, pompous punk. How's that for an apology?

that'll do..lol

[feltdizz]

Fishwhacked.

The only thing dumber than Bell's apparent decision is the NFL policy. It's ridiculous to suspend a star football player because he smokes marijuana. It's irrelevant now, but the league policy needs to change. They will take political heat about what kind of "message" it sends to kids, but within a week no one will care, and teams won't be faced with these random suspensions as they prepare hard for the season.

In the NFL, smoking a joint in the off-season is the same as (1) systematically altering equipment in violation of the rules and destroying evidence of the alteration or (2) purposely trying to cause a head injury to a defenseless and key player during the last minutes of playoff game. Unexplainable.

all this is true and the reason we are seeing more weed suspensions is because its becoming more acceptable. We will continue to see players suspended but why does it have to be all of our skill positions on offense.

Does the weed help them ball out?

[feltdizz]

Bell collaborated with Snoop so we know when he hit the weed.

[chiken]

If Weed can impair a driver the same as alcohol (DWI) then in no way should the NFL give the green light to play while High.. Does it happen now, sure, but the NFL is clear of any real responsibility because as of right now there is a rule saying its not allowed and they do test. (though its well documented that the test is super easy to prepare for)

[8467thekraken]

I'm all for second chances. People screw up sometimes.


I would call Ray Rice.

[Moonie]

If Weed can impair a driver the same as alcohol (DWI) then in no way should the NFL give the green light to play while High.. Does it happen now, sure, but the NFL is clear of any real responsibility because as of right now there is a rule saying its not allowed and they do test. (though its well documented that the test is super easy to prepare for)

Being tested months in advance of the first pre-season game is a lot different than playing high. I'm pretty sure the league doesn't test before games to determine whether a player is drunk or high.

[Steelwolf]

Ray rice on line 2.......

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Bell collaborated with Snoop so we know when he hit the weed.

I've got to say, that thought crossed my mind as soon as I heard they were working together...

[Oviedo]

Logic wins zero arguments with those who are stuck in the mind set that "marijuana is the same as cocaine or heroin"....

PS... I agree with your post.

Its not a medieval mindset versus an "enlightened" mindset that MJ is OK. It is as simple as the rules within your corporation that is paying you millions of dollars say you can't do it. Its pretty simple, you just follow the rules