SerpApi.Org
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell was arrested Sunday, July 19, in Canton, Ohio. The former All-Pro was reportedly taken into custody on a child support warrant issued in Michigan.
Bell was in Ohio for an autograph signing when the arrest took place. Talk show host Jordan Miller shared the update on X.
“Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell has been booked into the Stark County Jail for a child support warrant,” Miller wrote, per Adam Schefter.
As per Sporting News, Bell’s attorney, Thomas Shaffer, said the former NFL star was arrested over “child support payments, or an alleged lack thereof.”
Shaffer explained that Bell has been struggling to keep up with the payments. He also added that the former running back’s current financial situation is not reflected in the child support calculations.
Bell reportedly lives in California but was in Canton for an autograph signing at Belden Village Mall before his arrest. He owes more than $50,000 in child support in a Michigan case involving his child.
The arrest adds to Bell’s legal troubles. An Ohio jury awarded a female relative $25 million in a civil s***** abuse lawsuit against Bell in 2025.
Bell and his brother, La’Vonte Bell, never responded to the case, leading to a default judgment. Neither brother was criminally charged.
Bell spent eight seasons in the NFL, earning three All-Pro selections during his time with Pittsburgh. He later played for the New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
His arrest has drawn attention, but his attorney said the case is tied to an outdated child support calculation, not a refusal to make payments. The legal matter is expected to continue.
Bell’s attorney says child support calculations no longer match his income
Additional details surrounding Bell’s arrest emerged after his attorney spoke with local media following the incident, as reported by Aaron Hughes of USA Today.
According to the Canton Repository, Shaffer argued that Bell’s child support payments are still being calculated based on income from the peak of his NFL career, despite his retirement from football several years ago.
“Six months ago, he cashed in an NFL pension to pay $50,000 in child support for that child,” Shaffer said.
The attorney added that Bell’s current obligations still reflect earnings from both his NFL career and professional boxing, even though those income levels no longer exist.
“His guidelines are still inaccurately being deemed based on his NFL salary and his professional boxing career,” Shaffer continued. “This is a revolving door because he pays a number that doesn’t reflect his true income. The issue will never end. The court needs to reflect his true income.”
Michigan authorities became involved because of the outstanding balance, leading to the warrant that resulted in Bell’s arrest.
Bell earned nearly $45 million during his NFL career. After sitting out the entire 2018 season during a contract dispute with the Steelers, he finished his career with the Jets, Chiefs, Ravens, and Buccaneers before stepping away from football. Since retiring, Bell has pursued both boxing and music.
Read more at the Cincinnati Bengals Community!
