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$25 Million Verdict Levied Against Le’Veon Bell In Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Abuse (Update)

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Le'Veon Bell

Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell has had a $25 million verdict levied against him in a lawsuit that alleges he sexually abused a minor who was his cousin. TMZ obtained court documents that note a jury awarded $25 million to Jada Bell, who filed a lawsuit against Le’Veon Bell in Ohio last March.

Bell’s lawyer denies the allegations.

From TMZ:

According to the suit, Le’Veon — who Jada says is eight years older than her — would use “slang terms” to direct her when she was just a minor, which incestual acts he wished for her to perform upon him.
“For instance,” the suit states, “he termed oral sex ‘fire.’
Jada alleged the sexual abuse continued for roughly a decade — when Bell, an ex-Michigan State tailback, would return to Ohio “during his college years and beyond.” She claims it all finally ceased when she reached 18 years old.Per TMZ, a judge issued a default judgment in October 2024 when Bell did not respond to the case, automatically losing on those grounds and not necessarily on its merits.Le’Veon Bell’s lawyer, Thomas W. Shaffer, disputes the ruling and believes Bell’s rights were violated.”My client is in the process of filing a motion to open and reverse the default judgment because the narratives of the case have never been litigated,” Shaffer told TMZ, referring to Bell.

Drafted by the Steelers in 2013, Bell played for Pittsburgh through the 2017 season. He sat out all of 2018 in a contract dispute after failing to reach a long-term deal with the Steelers. Hitting free agency, he signed a $52.5 million deal with the New York Jets in 2019. But his career there was unsuccessful and lasted just 1.5 seasons, Bell cut midway through 2020. He bounced around with the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Baltimore Ravens, last playing in the league in 2021.

He would later express regret for leaving Pittsburgh. He teased an NFL comeback last April, but it never materialized. Le’veon Bell visited the team facility in December 2023.

Post-football, he began a boxing career and has participated in a handful of fights, including an exhibition match against former NFL running back Adrian Peterson. His last match came in May 2024, Bell winning by unanimous decision.

UPDATE (7:40 PM): Wednesday evening, Bell took to Twitch to respond to the allegations. You can hear the bulk of his remarks below.

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