Former NFL Star Le’Veon Bell
Jailed For Not Paying Child Support
Published
July 20, 2026
6:28 AM PDT
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Updated
July 20, 2026
11:08 AM PDT
Former Pittsburgh Steelers star running back Le’Veon Bell was busted over the weekend … and it’s connected to child support payments, or an alleged lack thereof.
Le’Veon’s attorney, Thomas Shaffer, tells TMZ … Le’Veon did not make support payments, which are based on a healthy NFL salary — a salary he’s not earned in years.
Shaffer notes the support guidelines by law are based on current income, not his NFL salary, so computing these guidelines on inaccurate information is unfair.
Le’Veon allegedly owes more than $50,000 for child support.
The child in question lives in Michigan … which is why the Michigan Attorney General has the case.
Le’Veon lives in California … and just before his arrest, he was at an autograph signing in Canton, Ohio.
Shaffer tells TMZ … Le’Veon earlier in the year used a portion of his NFL pension to pay $50,000 in child support.
We’re told Le’Veon intends on explaining his predicament to the judge … but the judge will also be well aware that just last year, Le’Veon was ordered to pay $25 million as a default judgment after failing to appear in court for a 2024 sexual abuse case.