Former NFL running back Le’Veon Bell got picked up by the cops in Ohio this past Sunday, just after wrapping up a meet-and-greet with fans. This isn’t some minor traffic stop, either; CBS Sports dropped the news that Bell was arrested on a warrant out of Michigan for falling behind on child support payments. That’s a gut punch, especially when it goes down publicly like that.
The Warrant and the Attorney General’s Involvement
This wasn’t just a local issue, either. The Michigan Attorney General’s Office actually got involved, and when the AG steps in, you know the stakes are high, mostly because of the sheer amount of money owed in the case. Bell, who grew up in Groveport, Ohio, roughly two hours from where he was arrested in Canton, found himself in a tough spot. His lawyer, Thomas Shaffer, didn’t waste any time explaining the situation. Shaffer claims the child support payments Bell is supposed to make are still being calculated based on his earnings from his NFL days and even his professional boxing career.
Bell’s Career Earnings and His Lawyer’s Argument
Think about it, Bell had a massive career. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2013 as a second-round pick and spent eight years absolutely grinding in the NFL. Over that time, he pulled in an incredible $44.8 million on the field. After his time with the Steelers, he bounced around to four other teams in the last three years of his career, hitting up the Jets, Ravens, Chiefs, and Buccaneers. But those big-money days are largely in the rearview. Shaffer is upfront, stating that the numbers Bell is currently expected to pay just don’t reflect his actual income today. What’s even wilder? Shaffer said that just six months ago, Bell actually cashed in an NFL pension, dropping a huge $50,000 to cover child support for that child. You’d think that kind of payment would sort things out, but clearly, it wasn’t enough to clear the warrant.
What’s next for Le’Veon Bell and this legal battle is going to be something to watch. His lawyer’s argument that the payment guidelines are stuck on past NFL glory and not current income makes this way more complex than just a missed check. It’s a full-on legal showdown over how financial obligations adapt when a career changes drastically. We’ll be keeping an eye on how this plays out for him in the courts.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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