Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowl running back Le'Veon Bell won't be on the field for their season opener against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday and it's anybody's guess when he'll rejoin the team. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports people involved in the situation "guess" Bell will end his standoff Saturday, to avoid missing out on his $850K check, though comments from Bell's agent suggest the 26-year old back might wait as long as Week 10 until he shows up.
Amid the holdout, multiple Steelers offensive linemen have criticized Bell, including Maurkice Pouncey who told reporters earlier this week, "Why play hide-and-seek? Why let your agent say this? Just man up and tell us what you're going to do." Guard Ramon Foster said of Bell, “He’s making seven times what I make twice as much as (left tackle) Al (Villanueva) is making and we’re the guys who do it for him.”
While it's clear some of Bell's teammates are pissed he has yet to report to camp, other current and former athletes have shown him support, including Steelers star wide receiver Antonio Brown. AB took to social media last night with a message for Bell that reads, "We all we got, we all we need. Ready to roll whenever you get back with us, family @LeveonBell."
Dwyane Wade also hit up Bell on twitter: "get what you deserve my brother!✊🏾 If you don’t look out for you no one else will!" Former NFL wide receiver Brandon Stokley and ex-Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew called out the Steelers linemen for getting involved in Bell's personal business, especially as it pertains to his money.
Check out some of the Bell supporters' comments in the tweets embedded below.
https://twitter.com/_/status/1037859630293176321
https://twitter.com/_/status/1037782522443259904
https://twitter.com/_/status/1037735166704267264
https://twitter.com/_/status/1037519952457158656
https://twitter.com/_/status/1037532682274500609
https://twitter.com/_/status/1037483974690365440
https://twitter.com/_/status/1037438202116681728
https://twitter.com/_/status/1037438773896736768
https://twitter.com/_/status/1037567455995015168
https://twitter.com/_/status/1037465778864369665
