Former NFL running back Le’Veon Bell was arrested in Ohio on a Michigan child support warrant and is being held in the Stark County Jail.
Bell, a former Pittsburgh Steelers star, was taken into custody July 19 by Jackson Township police on a warrant out of Michigan, according to Stark County documents and reports. He is listed on the Stark County Sheriff’s Office inmate roster on a “courtesy hold for another agency.” The arrest occurred after Bell appeared earlier that day at a meet-and-greet event at Belden Village Mall in Jackson Township.
Authorities allege Bell owes more than $50,000 in back child support related to a child who lives in Michigan. The Michigan Attorney General’s Office is involved because of the amount at issue.
Bell’s attorney, Thomas Shaffer of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, said the former NFL player is being assessed under guidelines that still reflect his earnings from his playing days rather than his current income. Shaffer noted that Bell is being evaluated based in part on the salary he earned with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020. Bell last played in the NFL in 2021 with the Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“Six months ago he cashed in an NFL pension to pay $50,000 in child support for that child. His guidelines are still inaccurately being deemed based on his NFL salary and his professional boxing career,” Shaffer said. “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.”
Shaffer described the situation as inaccurate charging based on past earnings and said Bell intends to address the discrepancy with the court.
Bell, who lives in California, built his reputation as a three-time Pro Bowl running back primarily with the Steelers after being selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Michigan State. He later played for the New York Jets, Chiefs, Ravens and Buccaneers before transitioning toward a professional boxing career.
The arrest is the latest development in ongoing child support proceedings tied to the Michigan case. No further court date or bond information was immediately available.
