According to multiple reports, Pittsburgh Steelers running backs, LeVeon Bell and LeGarrette Blount, were arrested today in Ross Township for possession of 20 grams (around ¾ of an ounce) of marijuana; Bell was also arrested for driving under the influence (DUI).
Will Graves of the Associated Press reported that Ross police say a traffic officer detected smoke coming from the vehicle being driven by Bell, who was then taken to the hospital to have his blood drawn to determine if he was indeed driving under the influence. Whether that was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, we do not yet know.
Possession of marijuana and DUI’s both fall under the leagues Personal Conduct Policy. This Policy was put in place to protect the integrity of the game, or as the Commissioner puts it, to “protect the shield.” Essentially any conduct of anyone working for the NFL that undermines, or puts at risk, the integrity and reputation of the NFL can be punished, even where the conduct itself does not result in conviction of a crime.
Under this Policy, the Commissioner essentially has cart blanche to dole out whatever suspension he wants, although, as we saw with Ray Rice, first time offenders rarely get lengthy suspensions. Last November, Dwayne Bowe, along with a passenger, was pulled over for driving 48 mph in a 35 mph zone. After detecting the smell of marijuana in the car, three separate containers of marijuana were found, containing 6.6 grams, 3.8 grams and 4.2 grams. Bowe was subsequently arrested for possession of marijuana, although he pleaded guilty in April to lesser charges of littering and defective equipment. The marijuana charge was dismissed. As we just learned, the Commissioner suspended Bowe for only one game.
Slightly more worrisome, is Bell’s DUI charge. As of now, it is unclear if Bell was under the influence of alcohol or marijuana and if he was even over the legal limit. Under Pennsylvania law, driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) cases are prosecuted similarly to drunk driving cases and under their per se marijuana laws. A person can be convicted of DUID if they have merely 5 ng/ml of THC in their system while the alcohol legal limit cannot exceed .08 percent. Exactly what Bell’s levels were will help us determine if he will be suspended. Although, as we saw in Marshawn Lynch’s DUI arrest in 2012, his test came back barley over the legal limit and after a full year of delays, he was able to plead the case down to reckless driving and avoided any suspension.
I think it’s a safe bet that both Bell and Blount will get at a one game suspension on the possession charge, although the Commissioner usually waits until there is a determination in the courts before dolling out his decision. I wouldn’t expect that for at least four to twelve months. So unless the Steelers organization decides to suspend the two of them for a game, I wouldn’t worry about them missing many games this season, if any. As for the DUI charge, if Bell is convicted, that usually holds a two game suspension, once again, that could take at least a year to resolve.
Long term, while both players do not have any substance abuse violations that we know about, both may very well be entered into stage 1 of the substance abuse protocol. Under the Conduct Policy, the Commissioner can certainly ask Bell and Blount to be tested as part of their punishment, although under the behavior clause of the rule, a player can simply be entered into stage one if they have an arrest related to an alleged misuse of substances of abuse, which, in the judgment of the Medical Director, exhibits physical, behavioral, or psychological signs or symptoms of misuse of substances of abuse. There is no suspension for a player when they enter into Stage 1, but it could be something to watch for in the future.
What’s interesting to note; players not in the leagues substance abuse program, are only tested once for marijuana between April 20th and August 9th, and then not again until the next year. Conceivably a player can smoke away once they have passed their test.
For Bell, many fantasy players were already knocking him down a bit for fear of Blount eating into his carries, particularly around the goal line. This incident is just another reason to tread a bit more cautiously, especially in dynasty leagues. Also, keep in mind that this whole situation is very fluid, we will update you as we learn more information.