Le'Veon Bell used to smoke opposing defenses in the NFL. Just not before he smoked something else first.
On the "Steel Here" podcast, Bell said he would smoke marijuana before NFL games, even suggesting that some of his best games came following his herbal refreshments.
"Looking back on this, that's what I did," Bell said on the podcast. "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]."
The NFL's stance on marijuana has shifted in recent years, but
during Bell's prime years as a player, those who tested positive for it
could face stiff punishments. Before the 2021 season, the league and NFL
Players Association agreed to change the policy around marijuana, having
tests for it just once per year before training camp and having players face
only a fine for a positive test.
That has not always been the
case however. In the past, several players have faced lengthy suspensions
for testing positive for marijuana, including Bell's former teammate
Martavis Bryant, who was suspended for four games in 2015 for marijuana and
for all of 2016 for missing multiple drug tests.
Bell, himself, has faced repercussions for his marijuana use.
He was arrested in 2014 for marijuana possession and driving under the
influence, and was suspended for two games to start the 2015 season. Bell
was also hit with a three-game suspension in 2016 for missing a random drug
test in December.
Bell has not appeared in the NFL since 2021,
when he played in five games for the Ravens and three for the Buccaneers.
During his time with the Steelers, he was a force on the field, rushing for
5,336 yards on 1,229 carries with 35 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 312
passes for 2,660 yards and seven more scores.
On the podcast, Bell maintained his desire to return to the
NFL. He said on the podcast that he has never officially retired, and that
he would like to have the chance to retire in Pittsburgh.
"The
day when I do retire, it's gonna be with Pittsburgh," Bell, 31, said on the
podcast. "Like, I"m trying to retire with Pittsburgh. But before I do that,
I might be like, 'Hey, let me get a couple carries in the preseason so I can
show you all something.'"
