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 presents up maybe the best single play in not solely group 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 best way peanut butter goes with jelly.
A couple of seasons in the past, the group had a twin expertise at that spot in Le’Veon Bell that some argue, if he would’ve maintained his tempo in Pittsburgh as an alternative of chasing cash, was sure for the halls of Canton. Recognized league-wide for his endurance in letting his blocks develop, his runs have been usually a factor of magnificence, resembling gliding as an alternative of operating. He credited his early years enjoying, the place his place was alongside the offensive line.
Just lately he caught up with the podcast No Jumper Sports activities, and he credit that early improvement 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 particular person throughout from you, as an alternative 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 informed the present’s hosts. “Its Coach Mike Tomlin, the way you doing? I Immediately, I ain’t have any footwear on I’m exterior, I’m operating up the road. That’s how I went, ended up seeing my title and shit. Like my entire household grew up Pittsburgh followers my entire life. My mother she was like ‘I informed you you’re gonna get drafted by Pittsburgh, I informed you.’”
As soon as there, his rookie yr 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 menace. He made the Professional Bowl in 2014, 2016 and 2017, and he credit a whole lot of 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 one of the actual coaches that I’ve, really he most likely 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 methods to converse properly, he can relate to me in a way like no different. “
As soon as possessing one of many league’s prime 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 attributable to suspensions, and chasing contracts. Certainly one of Bell’s ex-teammates, Brown, notoriously ripped off his jersey and shoulder pads in the course of a recreation this previous season whereas enjoying for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Bell defended his shut good friend. He even feels he might’ve prevented the blowout that occurred.
“AB’s cool as hell, I speak to him about no matter we wanna discuss. Even when all the things occurred on the sideline with Tampa, I low key want I wasn’t within the recreation trigger I felt like I might’ve been one of many guys who [could say], ‘alright bro, AB, settle down.’ He’s a man who’s type of misunderstood. He has some moments however like total, he’s an awesome particular person. “
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 title Jake Paul as an opponent he’d like to see. Nevertheless, this interview was purely football-based and the one ringing endorsement I received from it was Bell’s strict allegiance to Coach Tomlin, even after the messy divorce between participant and group.
“He’s an awesome coach, nothing dangerous I gotta say about Coach T. He’s extra of a man that he’s on you, but it surely’s not prefer to the purpose the place it feels uncomfortable to come back up and method him. He has that excellent type of medium. ‘Alright I’m on you however like I’m approachable too.’ Like his rule he kinda at all times goes by is ‘don’t be the man’. He at all times stated if we seen him round making guidelines, we ain’t attending to the shit that we should be attending to, so don’t be the man. Situations going out earlier than the sport, these type of situations.”
Being considered 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 recreation. Regardless, Bell’s adulation of Tomlin rings loudly, and maybe this offseason, with ample cap house, some gamers might get their want of enjoying for such a coach.
Try the entire interview beneath.
