that, despite the emotions of the last two days, they have con

PITTSBURGH -- The NFL on Friday suspended Pittsburgh Steelers running back LeVeon Bell for the first three games of the season for missing multiple drug tests, a violation of the leagues substance abuse policy.Bell initially faced a four-game suspension, but it was reduced to three games following an appeal to the league. Bell offered an apology in an Instagram post shortly after the suspension was announced, a post he later deleted.Im not the perfect person, Bell said in the post. Im not going to say I act like a perfect person. I make mistakes. I want to apologize for everything I put you guys through the last couple years. Its been a frustrating run for you. Its been a frustrating run for me.This is the second time Bell has faced discipline from the league. He sat out the first two games of the 2015 season as punishment for his arrest in August 2014 on DUI and marijuana possession charges following a traffic stop. Bell was originally suspended three games before it was reduced on appeal.Bell will be eligible to return to the active roster Sept. 26, before the teams Week 4 home game against Kansas City. He will miss the season opener at Washington, the first home game against Cincinnati and the next game at Philadelphia.We are disappointed LeVeon Bell has been suspended three games to start the 2016 season, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said in a statement.We will continue to support LeVeon, but we acknowledge this mistake has put the team in an unfortunate position. We will continue to work with LeVeon to help him eliminate distractions in his life so he can reach his full potential as a member of our community as well as a player for the Pittsburgh Steelers.Bell said in the post he never purposefully missed or failed any drug test.They tried to test me in December and January and I missed those tests, Bell said. I couldnt get to the facility and get tested. They couldnt come to me and get tested. Thats on me. I put blame on myself.Bell added that he was supposed to get tested again in April and overslept.I ended up missing the test, Bell said. I was sleeping and thats on me. I cant blame anybody else for missing my test. I just want everybody to understand I never tried to purposefully avoid or evade any test.The 24-year-old All-Pro running back is entering the final season of his rookie contract.Bell finished second in the league with 1,361 yards rushing and 2,215 all-purpose rushing and receiving yards in 2014. He rushed for 556 yards and three touchdowns and caught 24 passes for 136 yards in 2015 before tearing the MCL and PCL in his right knee when Cincinnati linebacker Vontaze Burfict dragged him to the ground in November.Bell hasnt played in a preseason game, but has fully participated in training camp practices, showing the ability to take hits and sharply cut on his injured knee. Bell will be able to participate in training camp practices and the final two preseason games before the suspension begins.Pittsburgh finished third in total yards and fourth in scoring in 2015 while going 11-7 and losing to Denver in the AFC divisional round. The Steelers are already without wide receiver Martavis Bryant, who will miss the entire season after he was suspended in March for a second violation of the leagues substance abuse policy.Veteran DeAngelo Williams will fill in as the teams starting running back with Bell out of the lineup.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL NMD Human Race Canada . The judges scored it 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 for Jones (19-1). It was the champions closest call. Despite the loss, it was a remarkable show by the confident Swedish challenger, who had the best of the early rounds and then hung on in the fourth and fifth. Ultra Boost 4.0 Sale Canada . Clarke was injured while practicing on the Doha Golf Club range after the pro-am on Tuesday. The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play. http://www.nmdshoescanada.com/y-3-cheap-canada.html . What general manager Dave Nonis called "short and productive" negotiations ended with Kessel signing a US$64-million, eight-year contract on Tuesday. y-3 Shoes Canada . By having more great seasons. Manning was the only unanimous choice for the 2013 Associated Press NFL All-Pro team Friday. NMD XR1 White Canada . -- Al Jefferson found a groove just in time for the Charlotte Bobcats. Players in the National Womens Hockey League will play at least one more game but want more information before agreeing to a 50 percent salary cut the commissioner says is necessary to save the season.Brant Feldman, an agent who represents numerous top NWHL players, said on Twitter Saturday that the Boston Pride will play at Buffalo on Sunday. Feldman called the decision to play a sign of good of faith and challenged the league to do the same in responding to player demands.Feldman said the players have been placed in a difficult position because the NWHL may cease operations if the games arent played. The other game Sunday features the Connecticut Whale at the New York Riveters.The four-team league is in its second season, and its future has been thrust into question a day after NWHL Commissioner Dani Rylan announced the salary cuts. Rylan is the founder of the NWHL, whose business model is essentially a startup venture supported by investors and corporate sponsors.Last year, the NWHL became North Americas first womens hockey league to pay player salaries, which range from $10,000 to $26,000. The salary cuts represent as much as $540,000 in savings.On Saturday, several players said on Twitter they were willing to work with the league but sought more information and transparency. The players asked for proof of insurance, a third-party audit, the naames of league investors and an explanation for the revenue shortfall.ddddddddddddWithout specifically mentioning players concerns, Rylan said in a statement she hoped to continue a positive, constructive dialogue with the players over the next two weeks.The players have many concerns and disappointments, and I understand that completely, Rylan said. I deeply appreciate that, despite the emotions of the last two days, they have continued with their preparation for tomorrows games.On Friday, Rylan blamed the cash crunch on the league falling short of projections, including declining attendance a month into the season.Players will be required to sign an addendum to their contracts for the cuts to take effect. Its unclear if the players will do that before their games Sunday, and whether the NWHL will allow the games to be played if the restructured contracts arent signed.Riveters defenseman Ashley Johnston said players were surprised by the salary-cut announcement, and called the decision gut-wrenching.Feldman wrote that the players have been put in an impossible position because they do not know the leagues true financial health. He added that the players want the league to succeed, but there must be a true partnership. ' ' '