Pittsburgh, PA – April 26, 2025. Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, a three-time Pro Bowl star, was arrested Friday in Columbus, Ohio, on charges related to alleged sexual abuse, authorities confirmed to ESPN. The arrest stems from a high-profile civil lawsuit filed by his cousin, Jada Bell, which has rocked the NFL community.
Bell, 33, was taken into custody following new criminal allegations tied to claims that he and his brother, La’Vonte Bell, abused Jada starting when she was 6 or 7 years old, continuing through 2017. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office charged Bell with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a felony, after evidence surfaced in the civil case.
This is a serious development in an ongoing saga, Sheriff Dallas Baldwin told reporters.
The civil suit, filed in March 2024, resulted in a $25 million default judgment against Bell in February 2025, with Jada alleging a decade of non-consensual acts. Bell’s failure to respond led to the verdict, though his attorney, Thomas W. Shaffer, insists Bell was not properly served and denies all claims.
My client is innocent and will fight this, Shaffer told TMZ Sports.
Bell was released on $100,000 bail Saturday, just one day after his arrest, with conditions to avoid contact with the accuser. The swift release, facilitated by his legal team, adds fuel to a case already mired in controversy, including Bell’s claim on Twitch that he learned of the lawsuit only days before the civil ruling.
I don’t need to force anyone, Bell said on Twitch, per TMZ.
The Steelers, where Bell starred from 2013-2017 with 5,946 rushing yards, distanced themselves from the scandal. Groveport Madison High School, Bell’s alma mater, removed his name from its football field in March, citing the civil verdict and a failed $750,000 donation pledge, further tarnishing his legacy.
It’s a sad fall for a Steelers great, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said.
Bell, a free agent since his last NFL game in 2021, faces a legal battle that could redefine his future. As Steeler Nation grapples with the news, the case underscores the challenges of reconciling a player’s on-field brilliance with off-field allegations, leaving fans divided.
