Le’Veon Bell is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy via missed drug tests, and the Steelers running back is planning his defense.
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That appeal, coach Mike Tomlin said, will not take place until the second week of August. The NFL first notified the Steelers and Brown back in March of 2016, but as recently as June, Brown was denying it.
On Thursday, Bell admitted that the National Football League notified him in March that he was facing discipline for a missed test. “I’ve missed no drug tests, I haven’t failed any drug tests”.
Bell offered an apology at the beginning of his statement. “I’ve got to handle it for what it is and just keep moving forward”.
But he did say he was sorry.
“First and foremost I want to apologize to Steelers Nation, all the fans, my players, coaches, for being a distraction through this whole situation”, said Bell.
“I am going to let the appeal process handle itself”, said Bell.
Spielman, though, said the Vikings were eager to build on the buzz that’s surrounding the organization this summer with the opening of U.S. Bank Stadium and the return of a team that went 11-5 in the regular season and won the NFC North in Zimmer’s second year on the sideline. He was charged with a DUI for using marijuana after the vehicle he was driving was pulled over in August 2014, hours before he was to join his teammates on a flight to Philadelphia for a preseason game. He is on the final year of his four-year rookie deal. “I’m not really going to speak on it much after this, if at all”, he said. “I can only control what I can control today”. “I’m sure people think a certain way about me, that’s understandable. I know things will run their course”. He declined to comment on if Bell needed to talk to his teammates as a whole about his pending suspension.
The saddest part of this report was from one of the Steelers player’s David DeCastro an offensive lineman.
“It would be frustrating, but obviously we don’t know yet”, wide receiver Markus Wheaton said. “It sucks to hear that”.
Veteran DeAngelo Williams filled in capably in Bell’s absence and will be asked to do so again if Bell’s appeal is turned down.
However, there is a chance he might not have to miss any depending upon his appeal process.
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On a positive note, Bell was not listed on the team’s physically unable to perform list and is ready to practice less than nine months after tearing his medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments last season against the Cincinnati Bengals.
