Sometimes, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
That holds true for former NFL running back Le’Veon Bell, who recently discussed the mistake he made in leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers for the New York Jets over a contract dispute.
“I never apologized to the fans for really sitting out, or leaving the Steelers,” Bell said in a video posted to social media. “I never apologized. So I want to say I apologize for leaving the best damn fans there is in this damn world. I shouldn’t have left. I apologize. I should never have left. I apologize. That’s my fault. That’s on me.”
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell (26) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Pittsburgh on Oct. 22, 2017. APBell was drafted by Pittsburgh in 2013 and made a name for himself as one of the best running backs in his first seasons with the Steelers.
During his five-year tenure under Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, Bell was a three-time Pro-Bowler, a two-time first team All-Pro and had three seasons with 1,000 or more rushing yards.
However, entering his sixth season as a Steeler, Bell refused to sign the franchise tag placed on him by the team, opting to sit out the 2018 campaign after receiving two contract offers that were less than his desired annual salary of $14.5 million.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell (26) smiles during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit on Oct. 29, 2017. APAfter sitting out for a year, Bell got what he asked for, earning a four-year, $52.5 million contract with the Jets in 2019.
However, that proved the beginning of the end of what was once a promising career as he was released after two unproductive seasons.
The former Michigan State star flamed out with Gang Green, being released just over a year into that four-year contract and bounced around the league, making stops with Kansas City, Baltimore and Tampa Bay before finding himself out of the league by 2021.
