Le'Veon Bell means business. After the worst statistical season of his pro career, the veteran running back is so determined to prove it was an aberration that he arrived in New Jersey three weeks ago and started working out with a former elite amateur boxer at a gym near the Jets' training facility.
Call it the night sweats.
Typically, Bell arrives about 11 p.m. at the Different Breed Sports Academy in Teaneck. He will stay as late as 2 a.m., training with Don Somerville, 50, a decorated boxer who once coached at the U.S. Olympic training center. Bell showed up at 222 pounds, his listed playing weight, and is down to around 210, according to Somerville. His feet "are so much quicker" than before, Somerville said in a phone interview.
"I'd say he's extremely motivated and in phenomenal shape," Jets coach Adam Gase said.
By all accounts, Bell reported in terrific shape last season too, but he never rushed for more than 87 yards in a game and never broke a run longer than 19 yards. Poor blocking was the biggest reason, but Bell acknowledged recently in a radio interview that he wasn't his usual self during the season. But his old confidence is back; on social media, he recently predicted a career year.
"I told Le'Veon, 'Three or four years ago, you were the top running back in the league, and now no one mentions your name. That has to be a chip on your shoulder,'" Somerville said.
Somerville believes boxing has done wonders for Bell's quick-twitch reactions and cardio endurance. His worst quarter, by far, was the fourth, when he averaged 2.4 yards per carry in 2019, perhaps because of fatigue. He seemed to wear down as the season progressed.
At 28, with nearly 1,500 carries on his odometer, Bell recognizes he's no longer the young kid with a bottomless gas tank. So after his usual offseason training regimen in South Florida, he headed north looking for a pre-training camp routine. He was introduced to Somerville through defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who has trained with him since June.
And so began their late-night sessions.
"I tell these kids, 'Champions are created in the dark,'" Somerville said.
In this case, the wee hours.
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Call it the night sweats.
Typically, Bell arrives about 11 p.m. at the Different Breed Sports Academy in Teaneck. He will stay as late as 2 a.m., training with Don Somerville, 50, a decorated boxer who once coached at the U.S. Olympic training center. Bell showed up at 222 pounds, his listed playing weight, and is down to around 210, according to Somerville. His feet "are so much quicker" than before, Somerville said in a phone interview.
"I'd say he's extremely motivated and in phenomenal shape," Jets coach Adam Gase said.
By all accounts, Bell reported in terrific shape last season too, but he never rushed for more than 87 yards in a game and never broke a run longer than 19 yards. Poor blocking was the biggest reason, but Bell acknowledged recently in a radio interview that he wasn't his usual self during the season. But his old confidence is back; on social media, he recently predicted a career year.
"I told Le'Veon, 'Three or four years ago, you were the top running back in the league, and now no one mentions your name. That has to be a chip on your shoulder,'" Somerville said.
Somerville believes boxing has done wonders for Bell's quick-twitch reactions and cardio endurance. His worst quarter, by far, was the fourth, when he averaged 2.4 yards per carry in 2019, perhaps because of fatigue. He seemed to wear down as the season progressed.
At 28, with nearly 1,500 carries on his odometer, Bell recognizes he's no longer the young kid with a bottomless gas tank. So after his usual offseason training regimen in South Florida, he headed north looking for a pre-training camp routine. He was introduced to Somerville through defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who has trained with him since June.
And so began their late-night sessions.
"I tell these kids, 'Champions are created in the dark,'" Somerville said.
In this case, the wee hours.
Jets' Le'Veon Bell uses midnight boxing to get in 'phenomenal' shape
Sporting a leaner frame with 10 pounds shed, New York's leading rusher has been getting quicker on his feet by training with a decorated boxer.