USA Today via Reuters
Nov 29, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Le’Veon Bell (26) runs the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports | Reuters
USA Today via Reuters
Nov 29, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Le’Veon Bell (26) runs the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports | Reuters
Kansas City Chiefs running back Le’Veon Bell has had his fair share of controversies over the years. Becoming the first player in NFL history to refuse a franchise tag and sit out an entire season in 2018, Bell is now set to play in his first-ever Super Bowl game.
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Bell made headlines back in 2018 after near season-long negotiations failed to go through regarding his contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Refusing to sign the franchise tag placed on him by the Steelers meant that the running back was ineligible to play the entirety of the season.
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Following the contract debacle, Bell eventually ended up signing with the New York Jets in 2019. But his stint with the New York-based side was rather short-lived after he was cut by the team early in 2020. He then proceeded to join the Chiefs for whom he currently plays.
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Le’Veon Bell feels sitting out helped his career
Talking to the media recently, Bell said the decision to sit out the 2018 campaign was one that should help him in the long run.
“I feel like me sitting out, how I look at it is it helped me on the back end of my career. The year that I came back, last year, it felt like I was a rookie all over again.
“I was so excited to get back on the field, get my gatherings back. It kind of like reset my body,” he said. “I feel like it’s going to help me for the end of my career, elongate my career.”
Running backs in the league often have shorter careers than their counterparts, given the nature of their play. Running into a field of bodies and taking hits on almost every play means most running backs’ productivity decreases as their age catches up with them.
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 11, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Le’Veon Bell (26) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Angelo Blackson (96) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
But the decision to sit out 2018 seems to have worked in his favor. And it’s a decision he has no regrets over. However, Bell is far from the player that he used to be. He mostly functions as a second running back for the Chiefs.
His services came in handy when star rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire missed a couple of games due to injury.
Now chasing a Super Bowl ring, Bell shouldn’t hold any regrets about moving on from the Steelers if his team gets the win in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday.
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