Le’Veon Bell was spotted out enjoying some leisure time at a bowling alley on Saturday night just hours after the New York Jets ruled him out of Sunday’s game with an illness, and naturally he is facing criticism. While Jets coach Adam Gase may not have agreed with the decision, he made it clear there is nothing he can do about it.
Gase was asked about Bell’s bowling adventures during his press conference on Tuesday, and he admitted he would have preferred if the star running back stayed home to focus on “getting better.” However, he said the team told Bell to stay away so he didn’t infect other players, and the Jets are not going to discipline a player for leaving his house.
"What am I gonna discipline him for? I can't tell him you have to stay in your house"
– Adam Gase on the story of Le’Veon Bell going bowling Saturday night, hours after he was ruled out of the Jets Sunday game due to the flu.pic.twitter.com/sIfaUlLIWC
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) December 10, 2019
Obviously, the issue is one of optics. Bell has had a disappointing first season with the Jets, and it’s a bad look for him to be out having a good time on the same weekend he was too ill to play in a game. It would not be a surprise if Gase is just as annoyed about that as fans are.
The Jets signed Bell to a four-year, $52.5 million deal last offseason that includes $27 million guaranteed. He is averaging just 82.7 yards per game and 3.2 yards per carry this season, and there has been talk that he could be shopped in trade talks this winter. There were also reports before the season that Gase never wanted Bell on the team to begin with, so the situation will certainly be one to watch.
