Two Pittsburgh Steelers Busted For Pot

The streets of the Pittsburgh suburbs are just a little bit safer from the Scourge of Reefer Madness, after two Steelers players, Le’Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount, were busted for pot possession, Fox Sports is reporting.

Bell, Blount, and a female passenger were pulled over in Ross Township after a motorcycle officer smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from a black Camaro. The officer found a bag of pot weighing about 20 grams (about three quarters of an ounce), and all three people in the vehicle claimed it was theirs. Bell, the driver, was taken to a hospital to have blood drawn, and will likely be charged with DUI. All three were arrested and released, and will likely received notices to appear in court. Possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana is a misdemeanor in Pennsylvania, according to NORML, punishable by up to a $500 fine and up to 30 days in jail.

As for how Bell and Blount being busted for pot will affect the Steelers’ season, as of this post it’s unclear. The NFL’s Drug Policy considers pot an offense half as bad as beating your girlfriend into unconsciousness (a one-game suspension for the former, a two-game suspension for the latter), as the Chiefs’ Dwayne Bowe found out last week when he was given a one-game suspension after being busted for pot (see this Inquisitr article). Yahoo Sports‘ Frank Schwab speculates that the Commissioner’s Office’s appeals process means that neither Steeler will see any punishment from on high this season.

The Steelers’ front office, however, is a different matter. Steelers spokesperson Burt Lauten told Fox Sports:

“We are aware of the reports and still gathering information. We will have no further comment at this time.”

Given that the Steelers are not known for their tolerance of off-the-field shenanigans, according to Schwab, it’s likely that the two players, dubbed “Le’Backfield” by some in the Pittsburgh media, will face some sort of punishment from the team, though what and when remains to be seen.

Neal Coolong of Behind The Steel Curtain believes that LeBackfield’s off-the-field problems may spell trouble for the Steelers on Opening Day, saying:

“Bell and Blount comprise of approximately 100 percent of the Steelers’ game-experienced running backs… Needless to say, these charges puts their season opener in doubt.”

Do you think that these Steelers players deserve harsh punishments for being busted for pot? Let us know what you think in the Comments.

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