Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back and NFL All-Pro Le’Veon Bell was arrested in Ohio over the weekend on a warrant tied to a child support case.
Bell, 34, was taken into custody Sunday, July 19, shortly after appearing at an autograph signing at Belden Village Mall in Canton, according to reporter Jordan Miller and multiple news outlets.
Authorities reportedly received information that Bell would be appearing at the event before officers arrested him at approximately 3:33 p.m.
The former NFL star was booked into the Stark County Jail, where records described his detention as a “courtesy hold for another agency.” The warrant was issued in Michigan and was reportedly related to unpaid child support.
Bell remained in custody Monday.
His attorney, Thomas Shaffer, said the payment demands were calculated using Bell’s former NFL and boxing earnings rather than his current income.
Shaffer also claimed Bell paid $50,000 from his NFL pension approximately six months ago but continues to face financial demands that do not reflect how much he currently earns.
Bell is believed to have seven children.
The arrest is the latest legal controversy involving the former football star since his NFL career came to an end.
In 2025, a jury entered a default judgment against Bell after he failed to appear in court in connection with a civil sexual abuse lawsuit filed the previous year. He was ordered to pay $25 million in damages.
Bell first entered the NFL when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him in the second round of the 2013 draft.
He became one of the league’s most dangerous and versatile running backs during five seasons in Pittsburgh, finishing his Steelers career with 5,336 rushing yards, 2,660 receiving yards and 42 total touchdowns.
Bell sat out the entire 2018 season amid a contract dispute before signing a four-year, $52.5 million deal with the New York Jets that included $35 million guaranteed.
His time in New York lasted only 17 games, and he later bounced between several teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Bell’s final NFL appearances came during the 2021 season, when he played in three games and rushed for 18 yards.
Although he never formally announced his retirement, he has not been considered an active NFL free agent for several years.
Bell ended his career with three Pro Bowl selections, multiple All-Pro honors, nearly 10,000 yards from scrimmage and 51 touchdowns.
Since leaving football, he has pursued music and professional boxing. Most recently, he publicly called out WWE star and social media personality Logan Paul in hopes of arranging a fight.
Bell was once part of Pittsburgh’s famous “Killer B’s” offense alongside quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wide receiver Antonio Brown.
The case remains developing, and additional details about the Michigan warrant and Bell’s custody status could still be released.