Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell agrees to enter first-time offenders program
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell agreed to enter a first-time offenders program on charges of possessing marijuana and driving under the influence, reports Margaret Harding of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Bell’s lawyer Robert Del Greco told the newspaper that Bell would serve 15 months of probation, attend highway safety classes, participate in DUI group therapy and pay court costs. Those terms still have to be approved by a judge.
Bell and former Steelers teammate LeGarrette Blount were arrested Aug. 20 outside of Pittsburgh on their way to the team plane when an officer smelled marijuana coming from a vehicle they were in. Both players admitted to buying and smoking some of the marijuana and Bell said that he “didn’t know that you could get a DUI for being high.”
As part of the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program for nonviolent, first-time offenders, Bell's driver's license would be suspended for 60 days. His criminal record would be expunged if he completes the program.
“I am glad to put (the incident) behind me, but I am not worried about that now,” Bell said Wednesday, according to the report.
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Bell is currently being tested for drugs weekly under league rules and could face a two-game NFL suspension once his legal issues are done.
Bell is third in the NFL with 1,046 rushing yards. He has three rushing touchdowns in addition to 65 catches for 643 yards and two receiving scores for Pittsburgh this season.
The Steelers (7-5) are tied for second in the AFC North behind the Cincinnati Bengals. The two teams play in Cincinnati on Sunday.
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