Le'Veon Bell arrested in child support case, lawyer says NFL pay is gone
TMZ reports the former Steelers running back allegedly owes more than $50,000, with his attorney saying the order reflects an old NFL salary.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
Le'Veon Bell was arrested over the weekend in a child support case, according to TMZ, adding a new legal headache for the former Pittsburgh Steelers running back.
The case is tied to alleged missed support payments, TMZ reported. Bell allegedly owes more than $50,000, according to the outlet.
Bell's attorney, Thomas Shaffer, told TMZ that the former NFL star is having trouble keeping up with payments because they were set when Bell was earning a sizable football salary. Shaffer said Bell has not made that kind of NFL income in years.
The Stark County Sheriff's Office was identified by TMZ in connection with Bell's mug shot. TMZ reported that Bell was in Canton, Ohio, for an autograph appearance shortly before the arrest.
Why Michigan is involved
According to TMZ, the child at the center of the case lives in Michigan. That is why the Michigan Attorney General has the matter, the outlet reported.
Bell, meanwhile, lives in California, according to TMZ. The reported setup gives the case a multi-state path: a child in Michigan, Bell based in California, and an arrest after he had been in Ohio.
Shaffer told TMZ that Bell has already put a major chunk of money toward child support this year. The attorney said Bell used his entire $50,000 NFL pension earlier in the year to make support payments.
Shaffer also told TMZ that Bell plans to lay out his financial situation for a judge.
Another court issue in the background
TMZ reported that the judge will also be aware of a separate court matter involving Bell. According to the outlet, Bell was ordered last year to pay $25 million in a default judgment after he failed to appear in court in a 2024 sexual abuse case.
The new arrest comes years after Bell's peak NFL run. Bell became one of the league's most recognizable running backs during his time with the Steelers, where his patient rushing style and receiving ability made him a major piece of Pittsburgh's offense.
TMZ did not report additional details about Bell's next court date, bond status or the specific charge tied to the arrest. Bell's public response, beyond Shaffer's comments to TMZ, was not reported.
For now, the argument from Bell's side is centered on the gap between what he used to earn in the NFL and what he says he can pay now. The child support case, according to TMZ, remains in the hands of Michigan authorities.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.