A cousin of former NFL running back Le’Veon Bell has been awarded $25 million in a legal 

judgment after she accused him of sexually assaulting her over the course of a decade, starting when she was a young child. The allegations surfaced in a lawsuit filed in March 2024 in Franklin County, Ohio. According to the lawsuit, Bell’s cousin claimed the abuse 

began when she was around six years old and continued until she turned 18 in 2017.

The court documents, first reported by TMZ, revealed that the woman received a substantial financial judgment just two weeks prior to the report. Bell’s attorney, Thomas W. Shaffer, responded with a strong denial of the allegations. He stated that Bell was never officially served with the lawsuit or any related documents, asserting that the court’s decision was a default judgment based on procedural issues rather than the actual merits of the case. Shaffer explained that the judgment violated Bell’s Fifth Amendment right to due process, and they were actively working on filing a motion to overturn the ruling.

Shaffer emphasized that Bell was unaware of the lawsuit until after the judgment was made, insisting that the case had not been properly litigated. Bell himself addressed the situation publicly, taking to the streaming platform Twitch to vehemently deny the accusations. During his live stream, Bell expressed his shock, claiming he only learned about the lawsuit a couple of days prior when TMZ reached out to him for comment. He appeared emotional and frustrated, pointing out that the cousin making the allegations had previously attended his football games and had been a part of his life.

Bell questioned the plausibility of the accusations, asking viewers, “Do y’all think Le’Veon Bell, do I need to force myself upon a woman? Anybody? Do I need to force myself upon them? I don’t.” He went on to declare his innocence, swearing on his children’s lives and his mother’s life that he never forced himself on anyone, let alone his cousin. Bell insisted he had no need to coerce women, stating, “I’ve never forced myself on nobody. I got my pick of the litter.”

His rant continued, with Bell making controversial and boastful claims about his past sexual encounters, referring to himself as a “dragon slayer” and asserting he had been with thousands of women. His comments sparked further backlash, with many criticizing his language and tone during such a sensitive matter.

In addition to Bell’s legal troubles, court documents cited by the New York Post revealed that his younger brother, La’Vonte Bell, was also implicated in the case. He was ordered to pay their cousin an additional $11 million, though the details surrounding his involvement were less publicized.

The case has drawn widespread attention due to the high-profile nature of Bell’s NFL career and the disturbing nature of the allegations. Bell, once a celebrated athlete known for his impressive performances with the Pittsburgh Steelers, has now found himself in the spotlight for far more troubling reasons.

While Bell maintains his innocence and continues to challenge the judgment, the legal battle is far from over. If his attorneys successfully overturn the default judgment, the case could potentially be reexamined in court, where both sides would present their evidence. Until then, the $25 million judgment remains a significant legal and financial blow to Bell.

The case highlights the complexities of default judgments in civil lawsuits, especially when one party claims they were never properly served. It also raises broader questions about how public figures handle allegations of this magnitude, particularly in the court of public opinion.

For now, Bell continues to fight for his reputation, but the weight of the accusations—and the massive judgment against him—has already reshaped how many view the former football star. Whether the judgment stands or is eventually overturned, the situation remains a tragic and unsettling chapter in his life and career.

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