Former Steelers star Le’Veon Bell was arrested Sunday afternoon in Canton, Ohio, according to WKYC, with the Stark County Sheriff’s Office taking him into custody on a warrant out of Michigan.
TMZ reported that the arrest was tied to unpaid child support. Bell’s attorney, Thomas Shaffer, told TMZ that Bell is having trouble keeping up with the payments because they are based on his NFL salary. According to the report, Bell owes more than $50,000 in child support.
Shaffer also said Bell had already put his entire $50,000 NFL pension toward child support earlier this year. TMZ added that Bell had been at an autograph signing in Canton before the arrest and that the child involved lives in Michigan.
Bell’s football résumé was built in Pittsburgh, where he arrived as a second-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft after starring as an All-American at Michigan State. He spent six seasons with the Steelers and earned first-team All-Pro honors twice before moving on to the New York Jets.
His stint with the Jets didn’t last long. Even after signing a four-year deal, he was released midway through his second season. Bell then joined the Kansas City Chiefs and finished the 2020 season there.
His final NFL season came in 2021, when he split time between the Ravens and Buccaneers. Over eight NFL seasons, Bell rushed for 6,554 yards and 42 touchdowns, while adding 3,289 receiving yards and nine scores.
His biggest year came in 2014, when he piled up 1,361 rushing yards and eight touchdowns for Pittsburgh. He also caught 83 passes for 854 yards and three scores that season.
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