PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 16: Running back Le'Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers smiles as he looks on from the sideline during a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Heinz Field on August 16, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Bills 19-16. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Le'Veon Bell
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell is facing a four-game suspension to start the 2016 season after missing a drug test, which equates to a failed test by NFL's standards. The suspension hasn't been officially announced yet because Bell is currently appealing the ban, and according to him, he's going to win.
Bell posted a comment on an Instagram photo shared by a user criticizing him for the suspension. Here's what Bell's response said:
"I'm gonna win the appeal...ppl have no idea what happened, but don't worry...let em hate. When I end up missin no games at all, ppl for sure gonna try to love me again and I'm only ridin with my LOYAL fans!!"
He also wrote "I'm not gonna miss games, trust me."
That's a fairly bold statement for a player to make with a suspension hanging over his head. It's not often suspensions are completely dropped by the league, though reductions are often given following appeals.
Just last season, Bell had his three-game ban reduced to two games after his appeal. Perhaps he'll see this suspension cut down a bit too, though nothing is certain or indicating as such at this moment.
If Bell is forced to sit out the first four games, it could cost him millions next offseason.
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