He's not currently an NFL employee so no he's not being tested. I would hope that he's not dumb enough to be doing drugs just before coming back to the team. The whole delay is to avoid being traded to a team that he doesn't ant to go to. He wants the whole free agency razzmatazz being wined and dined and told how fabulous he is and how wanted he is. So with the two week roster exemption, he will come back, do the bare minimum and then be available for the final six games to be accredited for an NFL year.
While I think he has either received some bad advice or has made some poor decisions you can't blame him for looking out for himself. The downside is that many teams will be thinking twice about just how much to give this guy particularly when they see Connor doing an A- impression of Bell back there for the price of a third round pick.
IMO, if Bell was smart he'd get his agent to organise a trade to the Eagles. They badly need a quality back and he would be playing for a contender. Maybe he just wants to go somewhere with 0% state tax? Who knows what motivates him?
Slaine I’ve heard writers from PPG, Trib and other beat writers say he still is required to be tested. Checking out the NFL/NFLPA Policy of Substance Abuse, it states;
“The illegal use of drugs and the abuse of prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and alcohol (hereinafter “Substances of Abuse”) is prohibited [1] for Players [2] in the NFL. Moreover, the use of alcohol may be prohibited for individual Players in certain situations where clinically indicated in accordance with the terms of this Policy...
[1] The NFL and the NFLPA prohibit Players from the illegal use, possession, or distribution of drugs, including but not limited to cocaine; marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids; opiates and opioids; methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA); and phencyclidine (PCP). The abuse of prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and alcohol is also prohibited. For example, the use of amphetamines and substances that induce similar effects, absent a verified and legitimate need for appropriate dosages of such substances to treat existing medical conditions, is prohibited.
[2] Except as otherwise noted in this Policy, the term “Players” includes all present and future Players in the NFL described as being in the bargaining unit as set forth in the preamble to the CBA as well as all Players attending the annual scouting combines.”
CBA preamble states:
“2. All professional football players who have been previously employed by a member club of the National Football League who are seeking employment with an NFL Club”
Bell, was employed and is seeking employment...so he qualifies for continued testing based on the NFL’s Intervention Program and CBA.
Regardless of all the rhetoric from Bell, his agent the media, I am seriously wondering if he just doesn’t want to play the game any longer. He sure is RE-acting like some one who doesn’t have the desire.
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