Le’Veon Bell recently demonstrated immense strength in the face of personal tragedy during the Steelers’ “Terrible Tailgate” event, held before their 32-13 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite the painful loss of his beloved dog, Venus, Bell held back his emotions and stayed with his fans for an additional 40 minutes, signing autographs and taking pictures. Although visibly devastated, Bell maintained his composure, not allowing his grief to overshadow his commitment to the fans, even as the Steelers ended their two-game losing streak.
MLF football acknowledged Bell’s emotional resilience, praising him on its X account: “CLASS ACT: Despite his dog passing away at a local vet during today’s Terrible Tailgate, #Steelers icon Le’Veon Bell stayed another 40 minutes, signing autographs and taking pictures with fans. Cannot imagine what that was like. @LeVeonBell prayers up & sorry for your loss❤️🙏.”
In response, Bell expressed his sorrow in a heartfelt tribute to his dog on social media, writing, “RIP VENUS 🕊️💔 any time I was down, sick, upset, sad, etc. I could ALWAYS count on you, the best little dog a man could ever ask for.” He continued, “I love you so much and will always love you forever … you will FOREVER have a special place in my heart … words can’t explain the HURT I feel!”
The emotional weight of the situation didn’t go unnoticed. Kevin Adams, co-owner of Barstool Sports and creator of Terrible Tailgate, also voiced his admiration for Bell’s dedication, stating that the Steelers’ fanbase should truly appreciate his sacrifice. Bell, in turn, responded, explaining how much the situation had affected him emotionally: “I promise I did everything I can to hold back tears .. it’s just been awful the last 2 days .. but again, I appreciate you & you CARING about how I was feeling.. I couldn’t be as energetic as I usually am today, had so much on my mind 💔.”
Bell’s deep love for dogs has been a constant throughout his life. His uncle owned a German Shepherd mix, and Bell formed a strong bond with the animal, marking the beginning of his lifelong connection with dogs. As he got older, Bell adopted dogs of his own, continuing the tradition into his college years when he added more pets to his family. His dogs, including Venus and his Rottweilers, Buddy and Beautiful, provided comfort during difficult times in his life, including his three-game suspension in 2016 and groin surgery in 2017. Bell often reflected on how his pets’ unwavering happiness brought him solace, regardless of the challenges he faced.
The loss of Venus has left a significant void in Bell’s life, as he remembers the precious memories they shared together. Despite his grief, Bell remained a pillar of strength for his fans during the event, showcasing his commitment to both his personal life and his supporters.
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