Back in August we told you about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell and LaGarrette Blount getting busted by a motorcycle cop while smoking ganja in traffic and the subsequent (lack of) fallout for the two running backs. This week the two were due in court, and at least Bell has waived his right to a preliminary hearing on possession and DUI charges.
Bell says he wasn’t high at the time of the stop, though he admits to buying and smoking some of the herb.
The move means that Bell is likely planning to fight some of the charges or plead guilty to at least some of the charges if not all of them. Considering he’s maintained his innocence in the DUI charges, we’re assuming it’s going to the former.
Under the new NFL drug policy, Bell would face a two-gram suspension if convicted of the DUI but it is unclear if he would face any sanctions for any of the other marijuana charges. The NFL recently adjusted their stance on marijuana, giving athletes some room to possibly use cannabis and not be suspended. Both Bell and Blount have played each week since their arrest on August 20.
At the time of his arrest, though, Bell said he had smoked marijuana “about a minute” before being pulled over. He later changed his stance, saying he meant that he had smoked within “the last two hours”.
According to the police report, the cop told Bell he was going to be charged with a DUI, to which Bell responded:
“I didn’t know that you could get a DUI for being high. I smoked two hours ago. I am not high anymore. I am perfectly fine.”
A woman that was with the group was also busted, after all three admitted to pitching in for the 20-gram sack of herb.
Blount’s preliminary hearing has been postponed until December 10.