Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell was arrested in Ohio on a child support warrant out of Michigan. Bell, who made the Pro Bowl three times during his first five seasons in the league, was booked into the Stark County Jail following an autograph signing at Canton.
Le’Veon Bell’s Attorney Says Child Support Is Based on an NFL Salary He No Longer Earns
The 34-year-old running back, who last played in the NFL in 2021, now resides in California. According to TMZ, Bell allegedly owes more than $50,000 in child support for a child who lives in Michigan.
TMZ’s report noted, “Le’Veon’s attorney, Thomas Shaffer, tells TMZ… Le’Veon did not make support payments, which are based on a healthy NFL salary — a salary he’s not earned in years.”
The report added, “Shaffer notes the support guidelines by law are based on current income, not his NFL salary, so computing these guidelines on inaccurate information is unfair.”
TMZ also reported that Bell plans to explain his financial situation to the judge. However, the judge will also be aware that Bell was ordered to pay $25 million in a default judgment last year after he failed to appear in court for a 2024 civil lawsuit related to sexual abuse.
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Bell Had More Than $45 Million in NFL Career Earnings
According to Spotrac, Bell earned a total of $45,379,637 over the course of his NFL career. The bulk of that figure came from his four-year, $52.5 million contract with the New York Jets, which included $27 million in guaranteed money.
Bell earned more than $28 million in just 17 games with New York before being released in 2020, while in Pittsburgh, he earned only $16.03 million.
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During his time in Pittsburgh, he rushed for 5,336 yards and 35 touchdowns, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. He also had 312 receptions for 2,660 yards and seven touchdowns across 62 regular-season games.
Bell played just 17 games with the Jets, rushing for 863 yards and three touchdowns, along with 69 receptions for 500 yards.
The career earnings are a crucial part of the legal dispute. Bell’s attorney has argued that the courts are treating his client as though he is still generating an NFL-level income, when in reality, Bell has been out of the league since brief stints with the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 and 2021.
The gap between what Bell once earned and what he earns now is at the heart of his defense, and it will be interesting to see how the court weighs that distinction as the case moves forward.
