It has been a long, winding road for former teammates Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. However, fate has brought them back together, facing off on the world’s biggest stage.
It wasn’t that long ago that Bell and Brown were superstar duo back with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now the former teammates will meet up at Raymond James Stadium in Super Bowl LV. And with less than a week before the matchup, Bell shared his thoughts on facing his former teammate.
Bell says the two “haven’t kept in contact like that,” after they both left Pittsburgh in 2019. Still, there’s no question he’s excited to be in the same stadium again with one of his old friends.
“It’s crazy to think as long as we were playing together that we never made it to this point,” Bell told Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “To face and play against each other is going to be fun.”
Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown spent six seasons together in Pittsburgh from 2013-2018. And during the 2017 season, they made their names as two of the best at their respective positions. It was the tandem’s best shared season with Bell led the league in rushing attempts with 321 (1,291 yards) and Brown topping the NFL with 1,533 receiving yards.
During their time with the Steelers, the running back-wide receiver duo compiled 10 Pro Bowl appearances between them. Bell had three and Brown had seven.
Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown Enjoying a Fresh Start
Since those glory days in Pittsburgh, however, both players have dealt with their fair share of issues.
At the start of the 2020 season, Le’Veon Bell was seeing limited minutes on a porous Jets offense. Meanwhile, Antonio Brown was serving an eight-game suspension handed down to him from the league office.
Bell went on to get cut by New York in Week 3. Although, that turned out to be a blessing in disguise because he was quickly picked up by Kansas City in mid-October. Since then, the running back has had 63 carries for 254 yards and two touchdowns as the Chiefs’ backup.
Meanwhile, Brown is also enjoying a fresh start with a new team this year. After serving most of his suspension, the former top wideout was picked up by the Buccaneers in mid October.
Tom Brady and Brown played together in one game with the Patriots in 2019. It was the future Hall of Fame quarterback that reportedly pushed the front office to give Brown another chance. Through eight games with the Bucs, Brown has compiled 45 catches for 483 yards and four touchdowns.
While they may not be the stars they once were, these former Pittsburgh teammates have a chance to make the ultimate comeback on Sunday night. One of them will be going home with a Super Bowl ring.