The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Le’Veon Bell in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft with the 48th pick overall. Bell, Antonio Brown, and Ben Roethlisberger formed the modern Killer B's that became the foundation for an entertaining, if not successful run by Steelers standards. He was a dominant running back during his rookie contract and after three Pro Bowls and two All-Pro selections, he elected to hold out and ultimately miss the 2018 season.
He eventually signed with the New York Jets and also had a brief stint with the Kansas City Chiefs. Just a few seasons later, he is out of football after announcing his retirement this week. Andrew Fillipponi on The PM Team w/ Poni & Mueller opened their radio show Thursday afternoon looking back on the Steelers relationship with their former running back:
“There is a big difference between Bell’s life decisions and Brown’s life decisions. Brown’s life decisions are rooted in narcissism and selfishness..,” Fillipponi continues. “Bell never did that. Bell got high with LeGarrette Blount on the way to work, did not show up for drug tests, again, not smart. But I am not going to say a guy is a bad human being 'cause he likes to smoke pot, that is a totally different thing.”
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I am old school and if you have read any of my opinions on the wayward Mr. Brown, you know I am not particularly a fan, but no one denies Brown was an incredibly hard worker. He was not working hard for the team, but it doesn’t change the fact that the team benefited. Brown's performance up until his dubious exit, made him the more important player.
Bell had the reputation of being the better teammate, which makes his selfish decisions to use drugs all the more frustrating. The decisions cost the Steelers dearly in 2016 when they finished 11-5 and had to visit the 14-2 New England Patriots for the AFC Championship game. He always presented himself like he was an intelligent chess player during his career in Pittsburgh, but he repeatedly made questionable moves in his personal life.
“So here is my next question,” Fillipponi asks. “Le’Veon Bell, if this is retirement and it’s over, because first of all, if it is not who the heck would want him anymore if he’s not even concentrating on football and focusing on boxing, is he a Steelers Hall of Famer?”
Le'Veon Bell retired today. Should the Steelers enshrine him in their Hall of Honor someday?
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) July 14, 2022
Bell played five seasons for the Steelers and started the majority of games in four of those seasons. He rushed for 5,336 yards and added an additional 2,660 yards receiving while scoring 42 touchdowns. During his run, the Steelers were 3-4 in the playoffs with one AFC Championship game appearance. The running back played in four playoff games and rushed for 430 yards and added 91 yards receiving and scored 4 touchdowns in those games. The Steelers were 2-2 when Bell played in the 2016-17 postseasons.
By comparison Willie Parker played six seasons for Pittsburgh and started the majority of games for four seasons and he rushed for 5,378 yards and an additional 697 yards receiving while scoring 30 touchdowns. However, Parker also only played in two postseasons for the Steelers starting seven postseason games that saw the Steelers go 7-0. Parker rushed for 471 yards and added 77 yards receiving and also scored 4 touchdowns.
Willie Parker sets the record for longest rush in Super Bowl history / PHOTO BEAVER TIMES
My problem with most of Fillipponi’s takes as a long-time Steelers fan is how dismissive he is of past Steelers greats. His knowledge of the team seems to begin shortly after the Green Bay Packers Super Bowl loss in 2011 to present day. He not only believes that Bell is a Steelers Hall of Famer, but that he should be an actual Hall of Famer comparing him to Terrell Davis.
I was particularly offended when he dismissed the careers of Dermonti Dawson and Rod Woodson as seemingly irrelevant in Steelers history because they did not win Super Bowls. I realize those two are just Hall of Famers and arguably two of the best players ever in league history at their respective positions, but that is not good enough for the Poni Express. He then scoffs at James Farrior and Jon Kolb before this little gem:
“Okay, timeout. Carnell Lake was not a better safety than Bell was a running back. No way dude, c’mon.” Fillipponi then goes on to say, “Bell was one of the best big game performers in Steelers history. What’s Carnell Lake’s resume? Does he have any Pro Bowl’s or All-Pro’s?”
This is an astoundingly dumb statement by someone who covers the Steelers. Big game performances in Pittsburgh happen in Super Bowls which Bell never enjoyed. He did have a fantastic game against the Alex Smith led Chiefs in 2016 to help the Steelers get to the AFC Championship game, but it is not Franco Harris in Super Bowl IX or Parker in Super Bowl XL, and it definitely did not have the impact of the Immaculate Reception. He willfully ignores some of the best players to ever don the black and gold.
Steelers safety, Carnell Lake / PHOTO: ESPN
Comparing Bell to Lake as if Lake were just a guy is the main reason that guys like L.C. Greenwood, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, and Lake are not in the Hall of Fame. Bell did not make the Hall of Fame 2010’s All-Decade Team. He was beaten out by Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch, Frank Gore and LeSean McCoy. One of those players is a lock for the Hall of Fame in Peterson and Lynch may join him. The other two have no chance in my opinion and Bell could not crack the list.
Lake did make the Hall of Fame 90’s All-Decade Team at safety. The others are ALL Hall of Famers including Steve Atwater, LeRoy Butler, and some guy named Ronnie Lott. Lake was dominant until he hurt his foot in 2000 and had his career cut short. He is hurt by the fact that the Steelers lost his only appearance in Super Bowl XXX. Lake played in 13 playoff games for the black and gold, starting all of them. Lake is one of the few players who made Pro Bowls at cornerback and safety and unlike others who did it, he switched from safety to corner seven seasons into his career.
Part of today’s sports media is dropping hot takes and I am not above doing it myself. However, as someone who is a prominent voice covering the Steelers, I would love to see Fillipponi go back and at least learn the history of the Super Bowl era. I am probably asking for too much based on his Twitter account poll Thursday afternoon.
Who is the 3rd best running back in Steelers history?
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) July 14, 2022
John Henry Johnson is in the Hall of Fame, but it is doubtful that the guy who makes a living covering the Steelers has ever heard of him.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Does Fillipponi willfully ignore the history of the franchise? Or is he just another victim of recency bias. Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
