Le'Veon Bell on 3-game suspension: 'Marijuana is not an important thing for me'
Pittsburgh Steelers star running back Le'Veon Bell spoke for the first time after being issued a three-game suspension stemming from an incident where he was charged with a DUI and marijuana possession.
Bell and LeGarrette Blount were arrested on Aug. 20 in a Pittsburgh suburb after a police officer smelled marijuana emanating from their vehicle.
Blount was released by the Steelers and was subsequently signed by the New England Patriots, where he won a Super Bowl.
Bell said he's doing everything he can to put the incident behind him.
"I made a mistake," Bell said to ESPN's Josina Anderson via Coley Harvey. "I'm going to just have to do my time, whatever the final decision may be. Get past it, and get ready for next season and continuing to be the great football player I know I can be."
The 23-year-old is coming off a standout campaign where he rushed for 1,361 yards and eight touchdowns, while adding 854 receiving yards and three touchdown receptions.
"Marijuana is not an important thing for me," Bell said. "It's something I easily can set by. If I wanted to do it later on down my life, I'll enjoy it later on. It's something that got me in trouble. Football is what I love. I love the game of football and nothing will come to jeopardize that."
The Steelers' star is hoping for a clean slate after taking part in community service.
"I did everything that they needed me to do and I did it quick," Bell said. "So eventually that's going to be off my record. Obviously, like I said, I still have to do my time that they gave me, but if (the league) were to look into that and all the community service that I did and the classes that I had to take in eventually getting it off my record, that should be something that maybe they consider and help me knock off some time."
The Michigan State product is an integral part of the Steelers' offense and developed into one of the league's best players. With Bell out, the Steelers will have to find a creative way to replicate Bell's all-around impact.