EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Le’Veon Bell arrived at MetLife Stadium on Sunday wearing a Pittsburgh gold shirt and black pants.
“I wasn’t doing it to be petty or nothing,” Bell said after facing the Pittsburgh Steelers for the first time. “It was just, I thought it would draw a little attention. You know? That’s all it was.”
Bell had a season-high 25 carries, gaining 72 rushing yards in addition to four catches for 21 yards. Most importantly, his current team beat his former team, 16-10.
great W for the green ?? pic.twitter.com/LYkGA7yLvA
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) December 22, 2019
“Obviously, every win feels great, but this one had a little extra topping on it,” said Bell, who sat out last season after refusing to sign the Steelers’ franchise-tag tender for what would have been his sixth season with the team. “It was fun playing against my old teammates, guys who never could hit me in practice. We had an opportunity to really go at it today.”
Bell chatted and hugged several teammates before and after Sunday’s game. It was a far cry from when some Steelers expressed anger Bell did not report last season, or when they playfully ransacked his locker after it became official he was not going to report at all.
“I respect all those guys over there,” Bell said.
Le’Veon Bell spent several minutes after the #Jets win dapping up everyone from former teammates to staffers to Mike Tomlin. #Steelers said they still love him and it’s apparent, even after a loss. pic.twitter.com/kGEuqzl3hI
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 22, 2019
Several of Bell’s teammates noted how much the win meant for Bell, who had 37 rushing yards in the first quarter as the Jets built to a 10-0 lead.
“I loved it,” Bell said of his heavy workload. “It felt good. I’m sore, and there is no better feeling.”
Except, perhaps, beating the Steelers.
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