Le'Veon Bell Expected to Be Suspended for 1st 2 Games of 2015 NFL Season

Tyler ConwayFeb 11, 2015

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell will likely be suspended for the first two games of the 2015 NFL season after entering a guilty plea for his DUI and marijuana charges that date back to last August. He faces a maximum four-game suspension.

Continue for updates.

Bell Faces Maximum 4-Game Suspension

Monday, March 2

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported Bell could be suspended up to four games for his July DUI arrest. He shared the following details:

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But there’s a catch that could result in a doubling of Bell’s expected punishment. The new substance-abuse policy makes a two-game suspension the standard penalty for a DUI arising from alcohol use. For violations of the law involving other substances of abuse, a first offense exposes the player to a suspension of “up to four” games.
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Bell Expected to Be Suspended for First 2 Games of 2015 Season

Wednesday, Feb. 11

Sources told ESPN.com's John Clayton that the Steelers are preparing as if Bell will be banned for the first two weeks. Under the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, a two-game suspension is a standard punishment for players found guilty of driving under the influence. Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was speculating about the punishment all the way back in October.

Bell, 22, was arrested in August on suspicion of DUI and marijuana possession with then-Steelers running back LeGarrette Blount, who was charged with marijuana possession. The charge against Blount was dropped last month after he completed community service. He is not expected to face league discipline.

Bell was admitted to Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) as part of his plea agreement with prosecutors earlier this month. The ARD program is designed for first-time DUI offenders and allows them to have their record wiped clean, assuming they complete terms of their agreement.

Bell will be required to serve a 15-month probation, pay court costs and go without driving for 60 days. He is also expected to not consume alcohol or drugs during the probation period.

Tom Puskar/Associated Press

“He’s relieved to have the matter finally resolved with the opportunity to earn dismissal and expungement,” Bell's attorney, Robert Del Greco, said, per Paula Reed Ward of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I expect Le’Veon will not be a repeat offender.”

A second-round selection in 2013, Bell emerged as one of the best all-around running backs in football during his second season. He rushed for 1,361 yards and eight touchdowns, adding 83 receptions and 854 yards through the air. His all-around production helped him blast the Steelers' franchise record for scrimmage yards in a season and earn his first All-Pro berth.

Pro Football Focus' grading system had Bell as the NFL's best running back last season. Football Outsiders' DYAR metric had Bell fifth among backs and ninth in its DVOA metric. A knee injury kept Bell out of the Steelers' playoff loss to Baltimore.

Pittsburgh, which was left with late-season pickup Ben Tate as its primary back in the playoffs, will likely target a more reliable backup in free agency.

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