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Chiefs' Andy Reid Says He Enjoyed His Time with Le'Veon Bell After RB's Comments

Mike Chiari@@mikechiariX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVJune 17, 2021

Kansas City Chiefs running back Le'Veon Bell runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid took the high road Thursday in response to recent comments made by running back Le'Veon Bell.

Reid said of coaching Bell last season: "I enjoyed my time with him. I'm pulling for him. That's how I roll."

Per Charles Goldman of Chiefs Wire, Bell criticized Reid in an Instagram comment last week, writing: "I'll never play for Andy Reid again…I'd retire first."

Bell didn't back down from his comment Sunday:

Le'Veon Bell @LeVeonBell

I said what I said & I don’t regret at all what I said...for those who have a PERSONAL PROBLEM with me because of what I SAID, that’s fine...you have your right! just understand I ALSO have MY RIGHT for how I feel about MY PERSONAL problem with dude because of what HE SAID to me

The 29-year-old said he enjoyed his time in Kansas City otherwise:

Le'Veon Bell @LeVeonBell

never did I say I didn’t enjoy my time in KC, because I loved my time there, and was probably the closest locker room full of players I ever been around...I enjoyed my teammates, the city, food, the fans, just about everything in KC...

He also apologized for going public with his thoughts on Reid: "I'll admit that's somethin I could've and should've kept to myself & I apologize about that and that only... but I don't regret what I said, because that's how I feel."

Bell appeared in nine regular-season games and one playoff game last season for the Chiefs, who signed him soon after the New York Jets released him in October.

Playing primarily as a backup to Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Bell rushed for 254 yards and two touchdowns on 63 carries while making 13 receptions for 99 yards. 

The 6'1", 225-pound Michigan State product was an elite running back during his first five NFL seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, earning three Pro Bowl and two first-team All-Pro nods.

He sat out the 2018 season because of a contract dispute before signing with the Jets, but he wasn't the same player in New York, rushing for 863 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 69 receptions for 500 yards and one score in 17 games for the Jets.

Some thought Bell would discover his old magic in Kansas City's high-powered offense, but that wasn't the case.

Bell became a non-factor for the Chiefs during the latter part of the season and had just two carries for six yards in the playoffs. He was inactive for the AFC Championship Game and did not play in Super Bowl LV.

He is a free agent, and it is unclear if he will receive another NFL chance given how much his play has dropped off over the past two seasons.