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There is a very simple solution to this problem.
Le’Veon Bell is fed up with critics on social media questioning how dedicated he is to football. He didn’t show up for most of the Jets’ off-season program (aside from the mandatory camp) and is also pursuing a musical career.
“I’m tired of social media s–t,” Bell said in response to a fan questioning his commitment.
Look, I’m not Dr. Laura or Dear Abby, but I’d say there is a really simple solution to Bell being tired of social media. If the people, many trolls, bother you with their usually negative comments, then unplug from social media. There is new law that you have to be on there.
Bell continued, “I’m tired of everybody telling me, ‘Le’Veon, you not focused. He only want to make music. He want to play basketball. He do everything besides play football.’”
Is Bell not focused enough on football?
The answer to that is pretty darn simple. We will find out when the season starts? This truly is a “proof is in the pudding” situation. How does he play? If he puts up the numbers he did in Pittsburgh in 2017, the last time he played in the NFL, then his football focus will be considered just fine. In 2017, he rushed for 1,291 yards and nine touchdowns to go along with 85 catches. That sounds pretty darn focused to me. Let’s see how he does this season before we assert that he’s not focused on football.
Bell continued this rant by saying, “Somebody work at Target, do you think when they work from 9-5, they go home and all they doing is worrying about putting f–king s–t on the shelves?” Bell said. “They trying to worry about what serial numbers coming up?! No! You think [LeBron James] is waking up, oh, he ain’t having no Taco Tuesdays? Bron don’t have Taco Tuesdays – you think he’s hooping all day? You think Beyonce waking up singing all day? She don’t go to work, she don’t act. She doesn’t do nothing with her kids, she’s just waking up singing?”
Is this just Bell chasing windmills? Why even waste the energy with trolls? Just go out and kick butt on the field.
The only thing I will say about his rant regarding other jobs is this. While playing in the NFL isn’t a full-time job, most players who sign with a brand new team, would likely go to their first off-season program to get comfortable with the new coaches, players and playbook. Bell not attending surprised a lot of people.
But I believe Bell didn’t attend for tax reasons, which financially was pretty darn smart since he will collect $1 million extra by being a Florida resident, and not a New Jersey resident. Being in the Florida for over six months this off-season allowed him to do that.
Also in the video, Bell jogged down some stairs to prove a point about being in shape.
“I’m going to give you all this one time,” Bell said. “Run down these damn steps.”
What is going on here?
One long-time Steelers beat writer described Bell as a “people pleaser.”
He clearly cares about people’s opinions of him.
But perhaps the best thing he should do is ignore them and just focus on going on out the field this season for the Jets and dominating.
But this whole situation is another example of why the Jets need to handle Bell with kid gloves and have him on a once-a-week media schedule. They have some masters in the press room at getting guys to “go for the cheese,” when cornered one-on-one, and say wild stuff.
You saw in this social media rant Bell is more than capable of being set off and going on diatribes.
July 22, 2019
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