Jets running back Le’Veon Bell has had enough of the NFL’s drug-testing program.
Bell lashed out on Twitter on Wednesday morning, calling out the league for randomly drug testing him five times in the last 10 weeks. He then said he’s not doing any more drug tests for HGH because he has passed them every single time and doesn’t like needles.
I done had 5 “random” HGH blood test in 10 weeks…@NFL I’m not doing another after today, whatever y’all lookin for it obviously ain’t there & I’m not about to keep allowing y’all to stick me with those dirty ass needles..find the players who really do that HGH BS & get off me..
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) November 20, 2019
Bell then spoke to the media about it on Wednesday afternoon. He continued to tell reporters that he is not a fan of needles and instead would rather drop his pants and pee in a cup. Bell understands that drug tests are a part of his job, but he is starting to get suspicious of the system.
“Is it random, though?” Bell asked. “Why do I feel like every time they’re here doing an HGH testing, I get picked?”
Per the NFL collective bargaining agreement, players are not subject to more than six tests a year. So while Bell is upset about getting picked, the league and the players union are well within their right to test Bell five times in 10 weeks. If Bell were to be picked for another test and refuse, he would be subject to discipline from the league.
“If we got to cross that bridge when we get there, then we got to cross that bridge when we get there,” Bell said.
The 27-year-old running back was suspended for two games back in 2015 for DUI and marijuana possession charges. The next year, he was suspended for three games for missing a random drug test.
Now, Bell’s biggest issue is the method, not the fact that he’s been tested so many times. He was very clear about his disdain for needles.
“I’m not doing it no more,” he said. “They’re not getting no more of my blood.”