Several years ago, Le’Veon Bell was one of the best running backs in the NFL, and he teamed up with star wide receiver Antonio Brown and legendary quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to make the Pittsburgh Steelers contenders.
They reached the Super Bowl in 2010 with a slightly different cast, and it looked like Bell might have a chance at another Vince Lombardi Trophy.
But after five stellar seasons with the Steelers, Bell got into a contract dispute with them and left after the 2017 campaign.
He made a sincere apology to Steelers Nation for leaving a very good team.
Le’Veon Bell on Snapchat: “I never apologized to the fans for actually sitting out or leaving the Steelers. I never apologized. So, I would say I’m the best fan in this damn world for leaving.” I apologize for that. I should have done that, I didn’t quit. I’m sorry.” pic.twitter.com/rWgY1cfhRC
– BlitzbergUSAVideo (@sdextrasmedia) 16 July 2023
A second-round draft pick in 2013, Bell rushed for 860 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie.
The following season, he exploded for 1,361 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns, while adding 854 yards and three touchdowns in the air and was named to both the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro First Team.
He was again named to both teams in 2017, but was reportedly placed under the franchise tag of Pittsburgh that year after rejecting a fairly generous two-year contract.
Bell made it clear that he did not want to play under the franchise tag again, and when the team used it again that offseason, he sat out the entire 2018 campaign.
After that, he played for four teams in three seasons and suddenly became a walk-on player from a true star.
Bell’s contract dispute helped destroy a talented and promising Steelers team.
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Fans react to Le’Veon Bell’s apology about leaving the Steelers