APThe NFL is apparently talking to Le’Veon Bell about shortening his suspension for his DUI and marijuana arrest.
Of course, doing so would shorten the lifespan of the precedent they’re trying to set.
According to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com, the league and the NFLPA are negotiating a settlement to reduce the Steelers running back’s suspension from three games to one or two.
But doing so might create more problems for a league that already has issues getting punishments to stick.
Two games is their new standard for DUI arrests, and they can add more if there are aggravating factors. Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith got a game above the baseline, and he crashed his car into a light pole.
Bell was stopped on his way to the airport last year in the preseason, and told cops he wasn’t sure why he was getting a DUI, saying: “I smoked two hours ago, I’m not high anymore.”
Shortening the suspension to one game would seemingly take the teeth out of their new policy on drunk driving arrests, so it’s unclear if that’s a step the league is willing to take.
So now we take a players word over that of law enforcement?
What stops anyone from debating a police report now?
the incident happened under the old rules, not the new rules.
2 games suspended, with 1 additional game check surrendered. Will say PA policy, which is all or none in this situation, was a little too steep.
LeVeon Bell said:
Bell was stopped on his way to the airport last year in the preseason, and told cops he wasn’t sure why he was getting a DUI, saying: “I smoked two hours ago, I’m not high anymore.”
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Ummm, I think I see why the NFL gave him an extra game of suspension time.
But all funning aside, the NFL is going to have more and more trouble assessing penalties for pot as more and more states make it legal to smoke.
The problem with this issue is that this is under the drug policy which was specifically bargained for in the CBA.
This isn’t a PCC issue. The fact that they are negotiating on this could also work against the PA as they are showing that they are willing to bend the rules when it benefits them.
Yeah
I am so happy for the Steelers
As long as he’s back to punish the Ravens I’m good.
My comment has nothing to do with Leveon Bell or any other individual player, but the NFL needs to make a determination as to an offender’s penalty and then stick to it. No changing just because a player appeals.
As a daily pot smoker, I can say with confidence, that 2 hours after smoking a joint, you are no longer “high”.
This isn’t alcohol, that your body needs to metabolize. Weed is not the same.
Being a Rams fan who’s team faces the Steelers in Week 3 I hope the suspension is reduced. I want to face their very best team and not hear excuses if we manage to win.
Another felon trying to get off easy. But let him play. Ravens will get a chance to see the 3-4 plays he’s managed to memorize while puffing on reefer all summer. LOL.
nickster31 says:
As a daily pot smoker
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How sad.
I thought there wasn’t a test yet for DUI pot.
gadgetking2010 says:
the incident happened under the old rules, not the new rules.
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There ya go. Not to mention he was punished twice for the same crime — one game for being high and 2 games for driving under the same high.
Not sure why people don’t understand that he has a valid case. This will be a 2 game suspension.
And here he is, right on time.
Please don’t compare pot DUI with drinking DUI. It’s not even in the same stratosphere!
Roger,
Please, STOP negotiating suspensions for players who violate league rules or cheat.
Just issue the suspension and be done with it.
If the player wants to sue they are welcome to do so provided they are immediately placed on the Commissioners Exempt list until the case can be heard.
This really doesn’t have to be quantum physics you know?
Where are all the “If you accept plea your guilty and tainted” people from the Brady posts?
sdiegosteel says:
Jul 28, 2015 1:25 PM
I thought there wasn’t a test yet for DUI pot.
They make them watch an Adam Sandler movie and if they laugh they’re high.
And the stupid report/ comment buttons need to be moved.
“As a daily pot smoker I…” How sad how many problems you must have to have to get high daily.
why did it take so long for him to be suspended in the first place? he should have already served that suspension last season, it should have never taken this long.. And of course the Steelers will get their way on this one and they are probably the only team that was trying to keep Brady’s suspension at 4 games…
Classless organization
In addition to the injury report, the NFL should put out the Goodell report – a list of healthy players the commissioner decided couldn’t play.
letgobuffalo4 says:
Jul 28, 2015 1:38 PM
“As a daily pot smoker I…” How sad how many problems you must have to have to get high daily.
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LOL! As opposed to posing negative comments about the Patriots over 100 times per day on a message board? Ask yourself, which is really more sad?
Where are all the “If you accept plea your guilty and tainted” people from the Brady posts?
Bet you stamped your feet and gritted your teeth while posting this. Just another cry baby Pats fan. Wawawawawawawawaw?
Where are all the “If you accept plea your guilty and tainted” people from the Brady posts?
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half of them are steelers fans.
I’m a Pats fan, but Bell is one of my favorite players because he is fun to watch. I hope it is reduced to 2 games…..that seems to be the precedent (without extenuating circumstances) and would be fairer than tacking on an extra game just because Goodell feels like it.
rgwhodey says:
Jul 28, 2015 1:50 PM
why did it take so long for him to be suspended in the first place? he should have already served that suspension last season, it should have never taken this long.. And of course the Steelers will get their way on this one and they are probably the only team that was trying to keep Brady’s suspension at 4 games…
Classless organization
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Proof of what you say rig one and done. Stop making your envy so obvious……I know it’s not easy but try.
NFL wide receiver Donte Stallworth killed a man driving while intoxicated and only got 30 days in jail. Domestic abuse appears to be a 30 day minimum in jail these days.
So now they are going to reduce Bell’s sentence because he was lucky that he didn’t injure or kill anyone. He did the crime, but was just one of the lucky ones. So he will get 1-2 games suspension. Domestic abusers in the league get 4-6 and even 8 games suspension now.
To me it sounds like the NFL is saying party it up, drink, smoke, do coke meth and drive. You will only get a slap on the wrist. As long as you’re lucky and don’t kill or injure anyone. Then we may have to review it. Maybe.
Get into a physical altercation with a woman and we might take half a season’s worth of paychecks or more from you. And we will do this before you go to court and have been found guilty or innocent.
What is wrong with this picture?
nhpats says:
Jul 28, 2015 1:50 PM
letgobuffalo4 says:
Jul 28, 2015 1:38 PM
“As a daily pot smoker I…” How sad how many problems you must have to have to get high daily.
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LOL! As opposed to posing negative comments about the Patriots over 100 times per day on a message board? Ask yourself, which is really more sad?
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Can we double and triple like posts????!?!?!??
TebowedOutOfThePostSeasonAndNeverToReturn says:
Jul 28, 2015 1:11 PM
Another felon trying to get off easy. But let him play. Ravens will get a chance to see the 3-4 plays he’s managed to memorize while puffing on reefer all summer. LOL.
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Another felon – like Ray Lewis or Ray Rice ?
3 or 4 plays is all Bell would have needed to wax the purple chickens in the playoffs last season and they all know it. Bell plays, Ravens lose. Just like the Steelers hanging 6 TD’s on the top ranked Ravens defense.
Hahaha wow what a joke! Steeler thinks Bell playing vs the Ravens would’ve had any different outcome in the playoff game??? Pleaseeeee. He never did anything noteworthy in the two previous games. Keep in mind Ravens had their entire starting defense on IR. oh but that doesn’t matter right??? Pathetic and clueless some of these Pittsburgh fans. They were stomped out at home when it mattered most. Using Bell is a weak excuse – Ravens had McDonald employees in the secondary and they still trounced Ben.
Cheers!
tanorrave says:
Jul 28, 2015 2:12 PM
Hahaha wow what a joke! Steeler thinks Bell playing vs the Ravens would’ve had any different outcome in the playoff game??? Pleaseeeee. He never did anything noteworthy in the two previous games. Keep in mind Ravens had their entire starting defense on IR. oh but that doesn’t matter right??? Pathetic and clueless some of these Pittsburgh fans. They were stomped out at home when it mattered most. Using Bell is a weak excuse – Ravens had McDonald employees in the secondary and they still trounced Ben.
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Injuries are a part of the NFL. Nobody feels bad for you.
Both teams are terrible.
Using “defense players…blah blah blah on IR” is a joke.
Bell would have made a HUGE difference, his single season statistics rushing, passing and blocking prove it. Ben Tate ? Josh Harris ? HUGE difference.
The Ravens saw two (2) 14 point leads evaporate against New England. Isn’t that an NFL record losing a game having been in the lead twice by two touchdowns each ? Winning the first playoff round was absolutely meaningless.
Cheers !
Why do all Ravens trolls end their posts with cheers or LOL? We don’t want your cheers and you are definitely not funny.
Bell had very much to do with those 6 TD’s. The Ravens’ defense have to account for him both running and catching plays out of the backfield; not to mention his excellent pass pro skills.
where smoking weed is legal now… how are police handling… DUI ? do they have a ‘limit’? do they know how long the effects are ? Do they have equipment in place ? (Most of the answers are no.. BTW… read up on how Colorado for example is scrambling to handle this… and a company trying to make a piece of equipment for detecting it etc etc
By your own definition the suspension should be two games because there were no “aggravating factors”. He did not crash into a light pole as the comparison was made. In fact he wasn’t even driving erratically.
That being said, he got caught. He admitted it, and has taken steps to ensure it never happens again.
Two games is fair based on the rule for a first time DUI.
kamthachancellor says:
Where are all the “If you accept plea your guilty and tainted” people from the Brady posts?
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No one is denying Bell is guilty, whether he takes the deal or not.
Not only is he being charged with double jeopardy and under a new policy that wasn’t in place when he was charged, but has also been fully cooperative.
Something Tom Brady could learn a thing or two about.
Hahaha wow what a joke! Steeler thinks Bell playing vs the Ravens would’ve had any different outcome in the playoff game??? Pleaseeeee. He never did anything noteworthy in the two previous games. Keep in mind Ravens had their entire starting defense on IR. oh but that doesn’t matter right??? Pathetic and clueless some of these Pittsburgh fans. They were stomped out at home when it mattered most. Using Bell is a weak excuse – Ravens had McDonald employees in the secondary and they still trounced Ben.
It’s obvious from this post, and many like it before, you don’t know much about football and your knowledge is shaped by what you team has done…in other words a blind homer. As a loyal Steeler fan I can say if Bell had played the outcome MAY have been very different and to deny that is just polishing up your stupid badges, which your posts indicate are numerous. The Ravens rushing attack would have had to be different as would the Steelers offense game plan. So you can stop typing now and put your head back in the sand and continue being a homer……cheers.
More probable than not that he was generally aware that he was high.
4 games.
If Bell is no longer high after two hours that explains why he plays best in the 4th quarter. LOL. Of course, by then, it will be all Big Ben hurling jumpballs and trying to put up a few garbage touchdowns to keep the fans from deserting en masse. LOL.