Le'Veon Bell says he is shifting his focus to boxing, won't play in NFL this season

Le'Veon Bell won't be playing in the NFL this season as he focuses on boxing.

The running back made the announcement at a news conference held by Social Gloves to promote his upcoming fight against Adrian Peterson at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

They always say that boxing is not something you can do. I wanted to focus on boxing so I almost sat out the entire year last year. Bell said that he won't be playing this year because he wants to concentrate on boxing.

He made it clear that this isn't a one-off fight for him.

It's like my introduction to show what I'll be doing and how I'll be doing myself. He said it was just an introduction.

When he appeared at the news conference via a video feed, he said he can see boxing in his future but left his options open about his football future.

"This is something that I can see myself doing going forward, just depending on how things play out for me," he said.

The seven-time Pro Bowl selection, who is fifth on the all-time rushing list with 14,918 yards, said there is a ring at his gym.

"We have a lot of guys sparring all the time, and I've had the chance in the past to get in there with those guys, and here recently, getting ready for the fight." I might see this continue to do something going forward because I have been grinding. Even after this fight, I will be waiting for the next chance to present myself.

Bell played in the Pro Bowl for the last time in 2017: he rushed for 1,291 yards and nine touchdown. He was released by the New York Jets midway through the following season after he held out for the entire year in a contract dispute with the Pittsburgh. He ran for 429 yards for four different teams.

Bell finished his eighth season in the NFL, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whilePeterson finished his 15th season in the league, with the Seattle Seahawks. Both are not employed by the government.