Pittsburgh Steelers: Le’Veon Bell, LeGarrette Blount Reportedly Charged With Marijuana Possession
By Matt Gajtka
The Pittsburgh Steelers had to be pleased with the idea of opening their 2014 season with a tandem of Le’Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount at the running back position.
They probably still are, but the situation just got complicated.
According to Colin Dunlap of Pittsburgh sports talk station 93.7 The Fan, Bell and Blount were charged with marijuana possession Wednesday:
Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell & RB LeGarrette Blount charged by Ross Twp Police today w marijuana poss. Bell also charged w DUI after stop today.
— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) August 20, 2014
Dunlap went on to tweet that a female was also in the car with Bell and Blount, and all three were charged with misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance. Bell, who was driving at the time of the traffic stop, was tested for a possible DUI charge as well.
Beyond the legal ramifications of this incident, it’s uncertain that Bell and Blount will be suspended by the NFL. This is the first such offense for both while under pro contracts, although Blount was suspended by the University of Oregon in 2009 for a similar marijuana possession charge.
No matter how it plays out, Bell and Blount are guilty of not using their better judgement, especially as the regular season approaches Sept. 7. The Steelers will play their third of four preseason games Thursday at Philadelphia.
Aaron Schatz of popular analytics site Football Outsiders may have summed it up best:
Seriously? BOTH Pittsburgh running backs popped for marijuana TOGETHER? That's just... that's crazy.
— Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@ASchatzNFL) August 21, 2014
It’s a good bet that rookie back Dri Archer is about to get more reps, both in practice and the remaining two exhibition games.