The Pittsburgh Steelers have a storied historical past on the operating again place. Lengthy identified for his or her model of energy soccer and physicality, the place affords up maybe the best single play in not solely workforce historical past however league historical past, within the type of Franco Harris’ “Immaculate Reception.” From Harris to Jerome Bettis, to the longest run in Tremendous Bowl historical past courtesy of Willie Parker, the place appears to go hand-in-hand with the franchise the way in which peanut butter goes with jelly.
A number of seasons in the past, the workforce had a twin expertise at that spot in Le’Veon Bell that some argue, if he would’ve maintained his tempo in Pittsburgh as a substitute of chasing cash, was sure for the halls of Canton. Identified league-wide for his endurance in letting his blocks develop, his runs had been usually a factor of magnificence, resembling gliding as a substitute of operating. He credited his early years taking part in, the place his place was alongside the offensive line.
Not too long ago he caught up with the podcast No Jumper Sports activities, and he credit that early growth alongside the road in him attending to the Professional Bowl degree he as soon as had, citing the simplicity of simply firing off the snap and hitting the individual throughout from you, as a substitute of worrying about ball safety. An Ohio native in his early years, he grew up in a household of Steelers’ followers and was completely elated when he heard Mike Tomlin on the opposite finish of the road.
“All I hear is Le’Veon, what’s up man?” he advised the present’s hosts. “Its Coach Mike Tomlin, the way you doing? I Immediately, I ain’t have any sneakers on I’m exterior, I’m operating up the road. That’s how I went, ended up seeing my identify and shit. Like my complete household grew up Pittsburgh followers my complete life. My mother she was like ‘I advised you you’re gonna get drafted by Pittsburgh, I advised you.’”
As soon as there, his rookie 12 months was a strong one, however Bell’s physique transformation that offseason helped catapult him into the league’s elite on the place, shifting from extra of a plodder-type to a slashing, twin risk. He made the Professional Bowl in 2014, 2016 and 2017, and he credit numerous that to the down-to-earth temperament of Tomlin. He even needed to cease mid-sentence to re-evaluate his assertion.
“Coach Tomlin is like some of the actual coaches that I’ve, really he in all probability is the realest coach I’ve ever been round for actual. Folks like him a lot as a result of he’s not afraid for you to not like him. He is aware of how one can converse nicely, he can relate to me in a way like no different. “
As soon as possessing one of many league’s high offenses within the type of the “Killer Bees” with Ben Roethlisberger, Bell, Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant, the group dissipated in a matter of seasons on account of suspensions, and chasing contracts. Considered one of Bell’s ex-teammates, Brown, notoriously ripped off his jersey and shoulder pads in the midst of a sport this previous season whereas taking part in for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Bell defended his shut good friend. He even feels he may’ve prevented the blowout that occurred.
“AB’s cool as hell, I speak to him about no matter we wanna speak about. Even when every little thing occurred on the sideline with Tampa, I low key want I wasn’t within the sport trigger I felt like I may’ve been one of many guys who [could say], ‘alright bro, AB, settle down.’ He’s a man who’s sort of misunderstood. He has some moments however like total, he’s a fantastic individual. “
At all times identified for incorporating boxing into his coaching routine, Bell stated he’s been boxing closely as a result of he appears like that’s going to be his subsequent transition after his soccer profession is over, even mentioning the identify Jake Paul as an opponent he’d like to see. Nonetheless, this interview was purely football-based and the one ringing endorsement I acquired from it was Bell’s strict allegiance to Coach Tomlin, even after the messy divorce between participant and workforce.
“He’s a fantastic coach, nothing dangerous I gotta say about Coach T. He’s extra of a man that he’s on you, nevertheless it’s not prefer to the purpose the place it feels uncomfortable to come back up and strategy him. He has that excellent sort of medium. ‘Alright I’m on you however like I’m approachable too.’ Like his rule he kinda all the time goes by is ‘don’t be the man’. He all the time stated if we seen him round making guidelines, we ain’t attending to the shit that we must be attending to, so don’t be the man. Situations going out earlier than the sport, these sort of cases.”
Being seen as a gamers’ coach within the league these days is a good factor. Maybe it’s why we noticed the Aaron Rodgers-Mike Tomlin flirtation on this previous season’s Packers-Steelers sport. Regardless, Bell’s adulation of Tomlin rings loudly, and maybe this offseason, with ample cap area, some gamers could get their want of taking part in for such a coach.
Try the entire interview under.
