Pittsburgh Steelers star running back Le’Veon Bell missed some time last season due to a torn MCL, which he endured during a game against the AFC North divisional rival Cincinnati Bengals. And while its been six months since Bell sustained the injury, he’s still bitter about how it went down, even claiming that Cincy players were gunning for him.
According to the Pittsburgh Tribune, Bell had this to say about the hit which caused him to get hurt—which occurred from a tackle by, Vontaze Burfict:
“I don’t think it was just (Burfict); it was like the whole team was really out there trying to like twist my ankles and do little dirty stuff in between the piles.”
In case you forgot, Burfict was also the player committed a scary penalty on Steelers wideout Antonio Brown during a playoff game later last season, too, so he’s not exactly the most beloved player among those in black and yellow.
In addition to calling out the Bengals linebacker, Bell said that he believes other teams are trying to take him out, too, per the Tribune:
“I feel like there’s a lot of teams that do that, try to take me out of the game,” Bell said.
When asked to elaborate, Bell opted not to name which teams cross the line.
“Umm, a couple, but obviously a lot of teams in our division really play that same way, so obviously I know that — I just was kind of ignorant to that at first because I didn’t think people played like that.”
As one of the league’s top rushers, Bell knows that teams will be gunning for him and trying to do what they can to rough him up. Fear not, Steelers fans, because he’ll be ready for the punishment—and plans on delivering some of his own.
“I’m still going to be physical; I just know that when I’m on the sidelines I can’t expect somebody to just push me out of bounds, you know?” Bell said. “I can’t take nothing for granted. I have to really protect myself â either get out of bounds or continue to finish the play.”
The Steelers and Bengals play Week 2 of this upcoming season, so hitting should be at an all-time high level—as will penalties.
[H/T FOX Sports]