Jets’ Le’Veon Bell rips NFL for ‘random’ 5th HGH test
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Former Pittsburgh Steeler Le’Veon Bell is throwing a flag on the NFL’s drug testing policy.
The New York Jets running back said Wednesday he has been unfairly targeted by the league after taking a fifth test this season for performance enhancers and criticizes the NFL’s policy.
“I done had 5 ‘random’ HGH blood test in 10 weeks,” Bell tweeted. “@NFL I’m not doing another after today, whatever y’all lookin for it obviously ain’t there.
The random drug testing is part of a collectively bargained policy between the NFL and NFL Players Association. An independent administrator determines via a computer program which players are tested each week. Per NFL rules, players with no previous violations of the policy on performance enhancers won’t be tested more than six times in a calendar year.
“He never said anything to me about it,” coach Adam Gase said. “It’s something out of our control.”
Bell was suspended by the NFL for two games in 2014 while he was with the Steelers after he was charged with marijuana possession and DUI, a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. He also was suspended four games in 2016 for missing a test.
He signed with the Jets last March after sitting out last season in a contract dispute. Bell made headlines this summer when he missed portions of training camp practices on consecutive days to take league-mandated tests.
Bell is off to the worst start of his career, averaging 3.2 yards per carry. He has also yet to rush for more than 100 yards in a game this season. Bell is second on the team in receptions with 46 for 309 yards and one TD.