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

[RuthlessBurgher]

So it's official...Bell lied about missing the drug test. Not proof of addiction, but sure checking the boxes on the pattern.

Reporters asked him about rumors that were not supposed to be public. Someone in the system screwed up by leaking sensitive information to the media (such suspensions aren't officially announced by the league until after the appeal has been heard). Do you think Bell's employers would have preferred that he had a coffee klatch with local media to discuss all the ins and outs of his testing regimen back in March? A majority of what coaches and players tell reporters is an exercise in B.S.'ing.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Reporters asked him about rumors that were not supposed to be public. Someone in the system screwed up by leaking sensitive information to the media (such suspensions aren't officially announced by the league until after the appeal has been heard). Do you think Bell's employers would have preferred that he had a coffee klatch with local media to discuss all the ins and outs of his testing regimen back in March? A majority of what coaches and players tell reporters is an exercise in B.S.'ing.

There was no need to have a "coffee klatch with local media to discuss all the ins and outs of his testing regimen." As a poster on the PFT site pointed out, "He could have simply said...'The NFL’s drug-testing policy is confidential, so I won’t talk about it.'” There were better alternatives than flat-out lying.

Doesn't exonerate whoever leaked the info. That person(s) were in violation of the NFL's policy, and should be held responsible.

[RuthlessBurgher]

There was no need to have a "coffee klatch with local media to discuss all the ins and outs of his testing regimen." As a poster on the PFT site pointed out, "He could have simply said...'The NFL’s drug-testing policy is confidential, so I won’t talk about it.'” There were better alternatives than flat-out lying.

Doesn't exonerate whoever leaked the info. That person(s) were in violation of the NFL's policy, and should be held responsible.

Of course, a "no comment" comment often makes the sharks circle even more. A denial ends it. At least for the time being, when it never should have been brought up in the first place.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Of course, a "no comment" comment often makes the sharks circle even more. A denial ends it. At least for the time being, when it never should have been brought up in the first place.

im with ruthless here. a "no comment" is a "yes there's something going on". a denial makes it stop for the time being.

moreover, i'm pretty sure the kid was on the spot when asked a question he didn't expect to get and didn't have the time that the writer at PFT had to think of what the appropriate response should've been.

[Shoe]

It's even poorer form for Bell to lie about it. I love watching Bell play, but he has shown a pattern now of being a selfish dumba$$. If he isn't injured, he's suspended. It might be time to consider life after Bell. Run the wheels off him in 2016 and then be prepared to part ways.

If he did (lie), I can understand why. I watched the press conference, and he tried his hardest to play the "I can't talk about details" card. But... he was so contrite and genuinely felt bad, that he was too accommodating to the press. Even though he said, "no questions about it", the reporters kept asking him questions and he gave answers that he probably regrets now.

It's a crazy situation because from everything you see about the kid: he seems to have such a good head on his shoulders (as a person), and he seems really dedicated to being a professional and a Pittsburgh Steeler. And we're talking about WEED (not something addictive like crack). You would think the guy could distance himself so easily from something like weed.

[MR.V.]

Williams ran with the ones today,but Bell looked outstanding when he touched the ball.He made all the cuts and looked in mid season form.

[Shawn]

For the record, as an addiction medicine physician I support the legalization of marijuana. But, for reasons other than the pro marijuana crowd tout. When people say marijuana isn't addictive I know they don't know what they are talking about. MJ creates very little physical dependence but it's very addictive and I've seen it first hand destroy lives and steal potential. Bell and Bryant are two clear cases of this and there is no doubt in my mind both are addicted to marijuana. People say Bell is stupid. Sorry, Bell isn't stupid he knows he's about to enter a contract year getting a huge pay day if only he can refrain from the weed. But he couldn't. The pull to use was too strong and he has sacrificed millions endangering what could be a hall of fame career if he continued his production.

That is the definition of addiction. Should it be criminalized? No. Should the NFL even test for it? No. But they do and it's their play ground and neither Bell or Bryant could stop smoking despite monumental consequences. Both need treatment and tools or both will smoke themselves out of the league.

[feltdizz]

For the record, as an addiction medicine physician I support the legalization of marijuana. But, for reasons other than the pro marijuana crowd tout. When people say marijuana isn't addictive I know they don't know what they are talking about. MJ creates very little physical dependence but it's very addictive and I've seen it first hand destroy lives and steal potential. Bell and Bryant are two clear cases of this and there is no doubt in my mind both are addicted to marijuana. People say Bell is stupid. Sorry, Bell isn't stupid he knows he's about to enter a contract year getting a huge pay day if only he can refrain from the weed. But he couldn't. The pull to use was too strong and he has sacrificed millions endangering what could be a hall of fame career if he continued his production.

That is the definition of addiction. Should it be criminalized? No. Should the NFL even test for it? No. But they do and it's their play ground and neither Bell or Bryant could stop smoking despite monumental consequences. Both need treatment and tools or both will smoke themselves out of the league.

it ruined their chance to make a boatload of money...

and both will still have a chance to make a nice chunk of change.

Maybe its addiction but it could also be arrogance and youth. These guys have had a ton of success doing it their way and now they are finally realizing (hopefully) that they cant continue this lifestyle choice.

[Moonie]

They should be able to smoke all the marijuana they want, and make all the money they can. If they want to see an addiction specialist, they can spend their money doing that too. There are plenty of people that will line up, hands out, to tell them smoking marijuana is a bad idea and a 12 step program is their only hope of living.

End the nanny state. Or if not, at least let the nanny state go free enterprise.

[AzStillers1989]

Williams ran with the ones today,but Bell looked outstanding when he touched the ball.He made all the cuts and looked in mid season form.

I think there was an article talking about how this suspension could actually benefit Bell and the Steelers. These 4 games off hopefully will allow him to stay fresher as the year goes on. Of course, if we go 1-3 or 2-2 it could hurt us later when it comes down to playoff seeding(if we are to get a spot).

[Shawn]

it ruined their chance to make a boatload of money...

and both will still have a chance to make a nice chunk of change.

Maybe its addiction but it could also be arrogance and youth. These guys have had a ton of success doing it their way and now they are finally realizing (hopefully) that they cant continue this lifestyle choice.

I might be able to buy that if this was the first even te second time it happened. But it's not. Bryant knew he was facing a year suspension and still couldn't quit. Wth the millions at stake and te consequences surrounding use its addiction. Of course arrogance and entitlements are weaved into the fabric of addiction. But none the less both, no doubt in my mind have addiction issues. My prediction is Bryant will fail another test in the next couple months to a year and be out of the league. Bell will fail another as well but hopefully while playing for another team.

[AzStillers1989]

For the record, as an addiction medicine physician I support the legalization of marijuana. But, for reasons other than the pro marijuana crowd tout. When people say marijuana isn't addictive I know they don't know what they are talking about. MJ creates very little physical dependence but it's very addictive and I've seen it first hand destroy lives and steal potential. Bell and Bryant are two clear cases of this and there is no doubt in my mind both are addicted to marijuana. People say Bell is stupid. Sorry, Bell isn't stupid he knows he's about to enter a contract year getting a huge pay day if only he can refrain from the weed. But he couldn't. The pull to use was too strong and he has sacrificed millions endangering what could be a hall of fame career if he continued his production.

That is the definition of addiction. Should it be criminalized? No. Should the NFL even test for it? No. But they do and it's their play ground and neither Bell or Bryant could stop smoking despite monumental consequences. Both need treatment and tools or both will smoke themselves out of the league.

Thank you for your input.

I think a lot has to come down to responsibilities and whether or not smoking and/or getting caught will affect your way of life in such a way that you can not pay your bills etc.... At least that's my own personal experiences...

I first smoked weed when I was about 11-12 and smoked it A LOT through high school and into my early 20's... I just turned 27 in early July and now have a career where if I got tested and weed was found in my system I would not only lose my job, I would be screwed trying to get another job in this industry. I drive a service truck so even if someone were to rear end me or what have you I would immediately need to take a piss test.

I can honestly say I have only smoked pot 3-4 times in the last 3 years and I was taking a risk each time because of the hypothetical situation I mentioned above.

I would love to be able to smoke weed from time to time just like I drink beer. The issue obviously is that weed doesn't leave your system as quick as alcohol does. If there were some way to test someones impairedness on the spot like they do with a breathalyzer for alcohol than that could change.

For now, however, it just isn't worth the risk no matter how much I feel weed should be legalized. I have a 3 month old son to take care of and if his daddy were to be selfish and lose his job. My wife, him and I would be up sh!t creek as they say...

[Slapstick]

Then be thankful you don't have issues with addiction.

[Shawn]

Thank you for your input.

I think a lot has to come down to responsibilities and whether or not smoking and/or getting caught will affect your way of life in such a way that you can not pay your bills etc.... At least that's my own personal experiences...

I first smoked weed when I was about 11-12 and smoked it A LOT through high school and into my early 20's... I just turned 27 in early July and now have a career where if I got tested and weed was found in my system I would not only lose my job, I would be screwed trying to get another job in this industry. I drive a service truck so even if someone were to rear end me or what have you I would immediately need to take a piss test.

I can honestly say I have only smoked pot 3-4 times in the last 3 years and I was taking a risk each time because of the hypothetical situation I mentioned above.

I would love to be able to smoke weed from time to time just like I drink beer. The issue obviously is that weed doesn't leave your system as quick as alcohol does. If there were some way to test someones impairedness on the spot like they do with a breathalyzer for alcohol than that could change.

For now, however, it just isn't worth the risk no matter how much I feel weed should be legalized. I have a 3 month old son to take care of and if his daddy were to be selfish and lose his job. My wife, him and I would be up sh!t creek as they say...

I think some assume...do drugs get addicted. Well it's really not that simple. Then this same crowd mixes up dependence and addiction which are completely different. Many people can drink alcohol, smoke pot and do so recreationally. Addiction is complex and what we know is it has little to do with morality, will power, education, finances, intelligence etc and so on. We do know that there is a genetic predisposition. Certain genes get expressed in some individuals when exposed to mood altering chemicals. In those individuals, gene expression leads to changes in behavior, and a phenomenon called craving. 80+% of the population can engage chemicals in moderation. The other 10-20% can not without craving said drugs. There is also personality, trauma, psych issues that complicate the picture and increase risk.

I would much rather see people use cannabis than alcohol. Alcohol is a dirty destructive drug. With that said, cannabis isn't this benign herb. Its fully capable of ruining lives. The difference is what was discussed above. When it comes to legislation, I think it's a horrific crime to criminalize drug use of any kind. Treating addiction as a crime only worsens addiction issues. It is punitive and not therapeutic. It wastes billions, criminalizes a disease process and produces more addiction in the long run.

I've actually sat down with not only the Surgeon General and Drug Czar and discussed federal policy but also NFL officials concerning NFL drug use and treatment. The federal government is actually listening when it comes to drug policy. You will see many strong laws coming down from the Obama administration in next year. These laws strengthen recovery and decrease criminalization. They increase access to care to a wider socioeconomic group. Say what you will about Obama but his administration has taken drug addiction and treatment seriously. The NFL on the other hand, not so much. They are more concerned about image and creating a punitive environment. And while I understand the NFL is not in the business of addiction treatment I do believe they have a responsibility to the well being of their players. And when I see them bless opiate addiction and demonize cannabis addiction I realize there is a focus on image rather than substance.

[Moonie]

I would much rather see people use cannabis than alcohol. Alcohol is a dirty destructive drug.

Alcohol is a great drug. Many would say the best drug. Cannabis is a favorite of low end smoldering types.