It’s been nearly four months since Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell was suspended for the first three games of the 2015 regular-season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy last August and after reporting Saturday to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe for training camp, he told the media that he still has not yet had his appeal hearing.
Bell also said he’s not sure what’s holding up the process and why it is taking so long.
“No, it hasn’t,” Bell said regarding whether or not his suspension has been heard, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Bouchette also reports that the steelers starting running back still has no idea why it hasn’t taken place yet or whether or not his agent and/or lawyers have even filed one yet.
Several other players around the league who were suspended during the offseason have already had their appeals heard and that includes New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who was suspended for four games for his alleged role in Deflate-gate. Brady, however, is still waiting to hear what the final ruling by commission Roger Goodell will be before deciding whether or not he will challenge the decision in the courts.
While Bell awaits his appeal hearing, he will take part in the Steelers training camp in addition to participating in the preseason games as his suspension won’t go into effect until the regular-season gets underway.
“I have been watching a lot of football, a lot of myself from last year,” Bell said Saturday, according to Teresa Varley of steelers.com. “The more reps I can get, the more practice I can get, it will make me a better player. If I don’t get the reps I get rest.”
In addition to talking about the current status of suspension Saturday, Bell also updated the health of his right knee which he injured during the final game of the 2014 season against the Cincinnati Bengals. He said that while his knee is close to being 100 percent, he still feels a “little something” sometimes when he stretches. Even so, he believes he’s in great shape for camp this year.
“This is easily the best I have ever felt,” he said per Varley. “I am in the best condition I have ever been in my life so I am excited.”
Bell's knee is close to 100%, feels s little something sometimes when he stretches #steelers
— Jacob Klinger (@Jacob_Klinger_) July 25, 2015
Le'veon Bell has not had an appeal hearing yet with NFL on his 3-game suspension
— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) July 25, 2015
Le'Veon Bell on why his appeal has not been heard yet and why it's taking so long: "I have no idea."
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) July 25, 2015
