Lets get it right about what Jerome Bettis said about Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 22: NFL Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis looks on from the sidelines before the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on October 22, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 22: NFL Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis looks on from the sidelines before the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on October 22, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Hall of Famer, Jerome Bettis, recently made comments surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers and running back, Le’Veon Bell. But media outlets are skewing the intention of the words.

The Bus isn’t someone looking to stir the pot in Pittsburgh. Bettis has cared for his team since being traded in 1996. So, when he gave his two cents on the current situation between the Steelers and running back, Le’Veon Bell, he made sure it was in good intention.

For one reason or another, though, it hasn’t appeared that way. Headline after headline, yesterday, read “you’re not as good without the Steelers.” Well, that’s true, but it isn’t what Bettis meant, nor said.

In an interview with TMZ, Bettis gave his opinion on Bell’s long-term contract situation:

Looking through Steelers news on Google, you’d think the Hall of Famer is telling Bell to get a deal done because he isn’t going to be who he is without the Steelers. Which, is true. But it isn’t what he meant.

I’m not Jerome Bettis, nor do I know Jerome Bettis. It doesn’t take much, though, to realize that Bettis isn’t trying to turn this into another “Bell is the bad guy” speech. Does he feel as though Bell and the Steelers should get a deal done? Yes. Not just for Bell’s sake, though.

The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t the same without Bell. Everyone knows this. The running back is arguably the best in the league. His ability to make plays out of the backfield and as a pass catcher are unmatched.

The Steelers could still win a Super Bowl without him, but it would be much more difficult to find a filler for the void Bell would leave.

The same goes for Bell. He may be the ultimate package in Pittsburgh, but he has everything around him. The offensive line is one of the NFL’s best. Ben Roethlisberger is a future Hall of Famer, still playing at Pro Bowl level. Antonio Brown and the receiving core make it impossible for defenses to focus on Bell as much as they should.

He has weapons around him that make life a lot easier. That doesn’t mean it’s all on him. Pittsburgh may have some young and talented rushers, but Bell is something you don’t find in this league.

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It just needed some clarification. People were making more of this story than it needed to be. If Bell is really looking for a reasonable number in his contract, he isn’t the villain. It’s Pittsburgh’s turn to make something happen, and at this point, hopes should be high that a long-term deal is signed before the deadline.

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