Should NFL reconsider stance on marijuana?
By Dani Bostick
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell and receiver Martavis Bryant are both facing marijuana-related suspensions at the beginning of the 2015 season. These suspensions are a huge blow to the Steelers offense because of Bell’s productivity on the ground and effectiveness at blocking along with the threat Bryant provides in tandem with receiver Antonio Brown.
The perplexing piece about these suspensions is that Bell just saw his suspension reduced from four games to two, while Bryant is serving his full four-game suspension. The difference between these two men? Bell was arrested for driving while under the influence while Bryant’s infraction involved repeated failed tests.
It is hard to believe that Bell got caught the only time he partook of marijuana, so even if he were in an early stage of the intervention program (or not yet in it), his lack of previous failed tests is not an indication of his actual marijuana use.
Bryant on the other hand, was not arrested for driving while under the influence, yet faces a longer suspension because he was caught more often smoking. It is also worth noting that Ray Rice was only suspended for two games because of his arrest for domestic violence.
Next: Aaron Hernandez