Le'Veon Bell Says He Smoked Marijuana Before Playing in NFL Games

Free agent and former All-Pro running back Le'Veon Bell revealed earlier this week that he used to smoke marijuana prior to playing in NFL games.

The 31-year-old told the Steel Here podcast (h/t ESPN): "Looking back on this, that's what I did. 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]."

While the league's marijuana policy changed in 2021, Bell's actions took place while there was still a suspension for any player who breached it.

Bell was suspended for three games ahead of the 2016 season for violating the league's substance abuse policy after he missed multiple drug tests.

In his prime, Bell was one of the league's most dynamic players, making three All-Pro teams and three Pro Bowls in nine seasons. Most of that success came with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who drafted him in 2013 and rostered him for the first six years of his career.

During that time, he had three seasons with over 1,250 rushing yards to go with over 600 yards receiving. His 2014 campaign was particularly sensational, as he notched career highs in both rushing (1,361) and receiving yards (854).

Bell sat out of the 2018 season because of a contract dispute with the Steelers and landed with the New York Jets the following year, finding much less success under coach Adam Gase.

Bell told the podcast:

"Bro, we get to New York, and that's when you instantly find out that head coaches make a huge difference. As soon as I get to New York, I find that out like the first week. ... Bro, the team wasn't that great, don't get me wrong, but I feel like if Coach [Mike] Tomlin [of the Steelers] was coaching that team, we win nine games at least.

"It's to the point where [ex-Jets quarterback] Sam Darnold don't even know like the actual line's protections because he's so confused about our offense because the coach is confusing him."

The Jets released Bell in Oct. 2020, five games into the season. He ended up with the Kansas City Chiefs, with whom he had 82 carries for 328 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to go with 16 receptions for 138 receiving yards.

He split 2021 between the Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers and hasn't played since.

Most recently, Bell entered the world of celebrity boxing, having fought three times since taking up the sport.