In the days leading up to Election Day, a former NFL rivalry has shifted from the football field to the political stage. Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell recently made headlines with his declaration on social media, stating that he’d leave the United States if Kamala Harris wins the 2024 presidential election. Bell’s statement drew a sharp response from retired New England Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel, who didn’t hold back in his reply.
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Le’Veon Bell Stands Firm on Political Views

Bell, a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, expressed his views in a post on X, formerly Twitter, writing, “I’m leaving the country if Kamala Harris wins.” He followed up with a video elaborating on his position, claiming, “If Trump doesn’t win, he got cheated. If Kamala Harris wins, I’m out, I’m gone. Because you’re really not trying to make America great again.” Bell’s video showcased him wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat, leaving little ambiguity about his political allegiance.

Asante Samuel’s Response: “Leave Now”

Samuel, a two-time Super Bowl winner and former All-Pro with the Patriots, didn’t miss the opportunity to respond. In a pointed comment, Samuel challenged Bell’s threat, encouraging him to follow through immediately. “Do us all a favor and please leave now,” Samuel wrote, adding, “And I will ask you every day, did you leave yet?” Samuel even entertained the idea of helping fund Bell’s departure, replying to a user’s suggestion of a GoFundMe for Bell’s plane ticket with a thumbs-up.

Background: Two NFL Careers, Never Crossing Paths

While their current clash is taking place on social media, Samuel and Bell never faced each other on the football field. Samuel’s NFL career spanned from 2003 to 2013, during which he secured two Super Bowl rings with the Patriots and earned an All-Pro nod and three consecutive Pro Bowl selections with the Philadelphia Eagles. Meanwhile, Bell entered the league in 2013, launching his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and achieving All-Pro status twice, along with three Pro Bowl appearances.
After a highly publicized contract holdout in 2018, Bell left the Steelers and signed with the New York Jets. However, his tenure there didn’t meet expectations, leading to his release the following season. Bell’s last NFL appearance was in 2021 with the Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2022, Bell attempted a pivot to professional boxing and even explored an NFL comeback in early 2024, though it didn’t gain traction.

Trending Topics and Social Media Buzz

As Election Day approaches, the back-and-forth between Samuel and Bell reflects the increasingly polarized landscape in the United States. The exchange has gained traction on social media, with fans and followers of both NFL stars chiming in on their views. Samuel’s and Bell’s statements underscore the influence of athletes on public discourse, even after retirement, and illustrate how former teammates or rivals continue to impact conversations far beyond the playing field.
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