Ex NFL-Star Le'Veon Bell Admits Smoking Marijuana Before Games

American football running back Le’Veon Bell admitted he has been smoking pot even before some NFL games. He shared this in a recent “Steel Here” podcast episode that discusses the Pittsburgh Steelers, for which he played from 2013 to 2017 and then sat out the 2018 season, due to contractual disputes, reported ESPN.

"Looking back on this, that's what I did," Bell said. "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]."

After leaving the Steelers, Bell played for the New York Jets in 2019 and two games in 2020. During the podcast, Bell also criticized the Jets’ coach at the time Adam Gase, saying he was “terrible” at calling plays. 

After the Jets, Bell signed with the Chiefs, and in 2021 he played five games for Baltimore Ravens and three for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

While playing with the Steelers, Bell was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro. So far, his NFL career counts 96 games, 1,595 runs for 6.554 yards and 42 touchdowns, and two suspensions for the violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy (both times while playing for the Steelers). 

While Bell, now exploring a professional boxing career, made it clear that he is not done with football and that he would like to retire with Steelers. 

Cannabis And NFL 

Bell is not the only NFL player who publicly admitted to cannabis use, whether for medical or recreational purposes. Some of them, like Ryan Shazier have become cannabis entrepreneurs. 

Former NFL stars Jim McMahon, Kyle Turley and Eben Britton have a company Revenant and have often shared how cannabis has improved their quality of life.

In April 2021, NFL officially commenced its new drug policy that excludes cannabis testing during the offseason. That same year, the league also supported marijuana research announcing it would award up to $1 million in grants for researchers to investigate the therapeutic potential of marijuana, CBD, and other alternatives to opioids for treating pain. 

NBA announced this year it will no longer test players for cannabis, which created additional pressure on NFL to do the same. 

Will NFL finally cave in and change its policy, it remains to be seen.

Photo: Benzinga edit with images by All-Pro Reels via Wikimedia Commons and Holi Concentrates on Unsplash