FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets running back Le’Veon Bell ripped the NFL for its drug-test policy, indicating Wednesday on Twitter that he’s being unfairly targeted.
“I done had 5 ‘random’ HGH blood test in 10 weeks,” Bell tweeted. “@NFL I’m not doing another after today, whatever y’all lookin for it obviously ain’t there & I’m not about to keep allowing y’all to stick me with those dirty ass needles … find the players who really do that HGH BS & get off me.”
The former Pittsburgh Steelers star was suspended two games in 2014 after he was charged with marijuana possession and a DUI. In 2016, he was suspended four games for missing a test. Coach Adam Gase said he was aware of Bell’s tweet, adding, “He never said anything to me about it. It’s something out of our control.”
Bell’s drug tests made news at the start of training camp, when he was pulled out of practice on consecutive days to take league-mandated tests. At the time, the Jets said Bell was hit with multiple tests because he skipped the voluntary portion of the offseason program, when testing began.
This wasn’t the first time that Bell publicly criticized the league’s drug-testing policy. In an April, 2016 tweet, he mocked the randomness of the policy.
Statistically, Bell, 27, is having the worst season of his career. Playing behind a shaky offensive line, which has used six different lineup combinations, Bell has rushed for only 508 yards on 161 carries — a 3.2 average.
Bell has 46 receptions, tied for second on the team. He has four touchdowns, tied for the team lead.
The Jets made Bell the centerpiece of their off-season spending spree, signing him to a four-year, $52.5 million contract that included $27 million in fully guaranteed money at signing.
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