Pittsburgh Steelers’ running back Le’Veon Bell is expected to be suspended the first two games of the 2015 NFL season stemming from a DUI arrest last August. Bell, who was driving the vehicle, admitted to smoking marijuana after being pulled over by the police.
He is currently serving a 15-month probation term as a punishment for the DUI. The NFL’s Substance Abuse Policy calls for a two-game suspension for a DUI that is a first offense. However, there could be additional games added to Bell’s suspension. Under the new policy, the standard two-game penalty is for a DUI related to alcohol use. For violating the policy involving other substances, a first offense could impose a suspension of “up to four” games.
At this time it is not known whether the NFL will make Bell the example and tack on additional games to the two-game suspension that is expected to be handed down.
If Bell, who put up a total of 2,215 total yards for the Steelers last year, should miss four games, his absence will clearly impact the team on the field this upcoming September.
However it works out, the Pittsburgh Steelers need to do a much better job planning for Bell’s possible replacement than they did when he missed the team’s wildcard playoff game in January.
While we wait to see what Bell’s fate is, Pittsburgh could always go knocking at Ray Rice’s door.
Okay, maybe not.
Photo: USA Today