Steelers' Le'Veon Bell gets 15 months of probation for pot
Pittsburgh's MVP enters Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell will spend 15 months on probation in a first-offender's program stemming from his arrest on marijuana possession and DUI charges with former teammate LeGarrette Blount.
Bell's driver's license will also be suspended for 60 days. But under terms of the program, he can petition the court to have his arrest record expunged if he completes the probation.
Defense attorney Robert Del Greco Jr. said Friday that Bell likely faces up to a two-game NFL suspension.
VIDEO: Le'Veon Bell's lawyer explains his penalties under ARD program
Bell, 22, and Blount, 28, were arrested Aug. 20 after a motorcycle officer in Ross Township, a suburb just north of Pittsburgh, smelled marijuana coming from a vehicle Bell was driving hours before a team flight to a preseason game in Philadelphia.
Blount was released from the Steelers after complaining about insufficient playing time and walking off the field early in a game against Tennessee in November. He signed with the New England Patriots days later and won a Super Bowl ring last weekend.
Blount, who faced only a marijuana possession charge, had that dismissed last week after completing 50 hours' community service.
As part of the sentence imposed Friday, Bell must have a drug and alcohol evaluation, follow any recommended treatment and spend 12 hours one weekend at a safety school for those charged with drunken driving, Del Greco said.
He must also pay more than $2,000 in court costs and will forfeit 1/17 of his salary for each game he's suspended, Del Greco said.
"I think it would be fair to say that he was relieved to have the hearing, eager to comply with the court's conditions, and hopefully he will do so in a way that he'll earn a dismissal and his expungement," Del Greco said.
A Steelers spokesman declined comment.