Le'Veon Bell will miss the first three games of the 2016 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. The Steelers' star running back was originally looking at a four-game suspension, but had it reduced after the NFL and NFLPA reached a settlement.
Shortly after the news broke, Bell posted a 61-second video, which has since been deleted, on Twitter apologizing to fans for "everything I've put you through the last couple of years," adding that "this is the last time I'll speak about it."
"I've never purposely missed any tests. I've never failed any tests," Bell said in the video, according to the Observer-Reporter's Dale Lolley. "I had surgery in November of last year. They tried to test me in November and December and missed those tests. I couldn't make it to the facility to get tested and they couldn't come to me and I missed those tests. I put all the blame on myself. In April, they tried to test me on a Saturday at 7 a.m. and I was sleeping. I can't put the blame on anyone but me.
"I never purposely tried to avoid or evade any tests. After this situation is done, you will get a better person and a better player."
This is the second time in two years that Bell will miss the start of the season because of a suspension. Meanwhile, Jon Ledyard, who covers the Steelers for SteelCityInsider.net, tweeted this on Friday afternoon:
No one puts his issues in same category as Bryant's.
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) August 19, 2016
That said, I don't think he has issues or anything of that nature. Generally a good kid who needs to continue to mature into an adult.
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) August 19, 2016
Bell will return to the Steelers' lineup ahead of the Week 4 game against the Chiefs. Pittsburgh will face Washington, Cincinnati and Philadelphia in the first three games of the regular season.
