Former NBA star Karl Malone, a 14-time All-Star known for his tenure with the Utah Jazz had gotten a 13 year old girl named Gloria Bell pregnant
Maloneโs past involvement with a 13-year-old girl is back in the limelight owing to Josh Giddey.
What is the story of Karl Malone and 13 year old Gloria Bell who he got pregnant with their son Demetress Bell
Malone was a 20-year-old sophomore at Louisiana Tech when he fathered a child with a 13-year-old named Gloria Bell.
Bellโs family filed a paternity lawsuit in 1986 against Karl Malone and the family asked him to provide $200 per week to the boy named Demetress Bell but Malone refused to acknowledge the suit even when the court lowered the amount to $125.
Karl Malone eventually managed to settle the case outside court for an undisclosed amount and the young Bell didnโt even know who his father was until he dropped out of high school.
It wasnโt until 2014 did Gloria Bellโs son and the two-time Olympic gold medalist tried to mend their relationship and are now on good terms.
Karl Malone: in 1998 he was involved in paternity lawsuits, and later was discovered that he was suspected of having impregnated Gloria Bell when she was just 13 years old. The incident took place in 1983, when he was 20. He later said he didn't care about the backlash he got. pic.twitter.com/CuR1hWvY5M
— amber heard archive ๎จ โก๏ธ (@heardsstan) November 18, 2023
Josh Giddey n Karl Malone pulling up to the middle school together pic.twitter.com/qPHgoJMkkM
— jacky (@depressedbullsf) November 24, 2023
Several reports reveal that when Malone was 20 and playing college basketball at Louisiana Tech, when he impregnated a 13-year-old girl. Although no charges were filed, the child born from this relationship, Demetress Bell, became an NFL offensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles.
Notably, Malone did not meet his son until he was 17. Critics took to social media, particularly X, formerly known as Twitter, questioning the NBAโs decision to include someone with Maloneโs history in a prominent role, labeling him as a โp*dophile.โ
Maloneโs reputation was further tarnished by allegations of being a non-supportive father who reportedly refused to pay child support for twins born when he was 17. Additionally, there were claims that he made advances towards his teammate Kobe Bryantโs wife, Vanessa.
Online Buzz
X users swiftly pointed out the character concerns surrounding Malone, who was widely known as โThe Mailmanโ during his NBA career. Some comments also drew wider attention to the number 13, referencing Maloneโs past involvement with a 13-year-old girl.
In a related context, young NBA player Josh Giddey faced controversy when videos and pictures surfaced of him with an underage girl.
Some users drew parallels between Giddeyโs situation and Maloneโs past, highlighting the leagueโs perceived failure to address and hold players accountable for their actions. Karl Malone, recognized for his significant contributions as a power forward in the 90s and winning two MVP awards during his 19-year NBA career, faced disturbing accusations during his college years.
Although he was reported to have impregnated a 13-year-old girl and faced statutory rape charges, the matter was reportedly settled outside of court. Malone has had minimal contact with the child born from this affair, Demetress Bell, and has allegedly denied paying child support.