New York Jets: No substance behind Le’Veon Bell bowling “story”

The latest New York Jets news to dominate the headlines concerns star running back Le’Veon Bell and a late-night trip to the bowling alley. Here’s why it’s a non-story.

The New York Jets should not be a particularly interesting team.

After all, the Jets (5-8) have already been eliminated from playoff contention. They aren’t the worst team in the league, but they are far from the best. They are a run-of-the-mill bad football team. There’s nothing about them that should warrant much attention.

However, the Jets also play in New York (ignoring all the jokes about how they technically play in New Jersey). And in New York, things are never allowed to be quiet or boring.

The New York sports media runs 24/7, and they will always find something to write about. So when the Giants (2-11) and Jets are bad, sometimes journalists have to dig deeper to find something to publish.

And then there are times when they would have been better off not writing anything at all.

Take for instance, recent reports about Jets star running back Le’Veon Bell.

Le'Veon Bell went bowling all night after Jets ruled him out with flu https://t.co/HihQAdrz6h pic.twitter.com/yts1R2I0EU

— New York Post (@nypost) December 10, 2019

Bell, who was battling a nasty case of the flu, had been ruled out for last Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. In lieu of preparing for a game he wasn’t allowed to play in, Bell went bowling the night before the game.

That’s right everyone. In a league where players are routinely busted for actual crimes like sexual assault and domestic violence, the New York media wants to blast Bell for having the audacity to go to a bowling alley.

It’s almost like Bell is *gasp* a normal person who does normal person things. It is possible that Bell eats and sleeps sometimes too, but no busybody has been able to confirm those details to the media yet.

Not that he owes the media or fans an explanation, but Bell has spent the week clarifying and providing context to his bowling excursion.

https://twitter.com/LeVeonBell/status/1204893727799427072

Because he was sick and quarantined from the team, Bell opted to go bowling with his family. No matter how hard a few journalists may try, there are simply no straws to grasp at here.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time the New York media has tried to stir up controversy in the Jets locker room. Earlier in the year, it was reported that quarterback Sam Darnold went out and partied at a club with some teammates after the Raiders game.

Darnold is only 22. It would be bigger news if he wasn’t interested in alcohol, partying, or girls. As long as he doesn’t commit any crimes or miss practices, the media should let him have a private life.

However, since it doesn’t look like Darnold, Bell, or any other high-profile Jets players will get a chance to live in peace anytime soon, Jets fans should learn to read with discernment and tune out the noise.