Demetress Bell, a former NFL offensive tackle, played for the Bills, Eagles, and Cowboys before retiring. Here’s another chapter of his life story.
While most sports fans do not know Demetress Bell, Karl Malone’s name is another story. Malone, an NBA superstar, was a two-time MVP and a multiple All-Star selection. Nicknamed “The Mailman,” he delivered for the Utah Jazz, teaming up with John Stockton in the backcourt. To this day, they are recognized as one of the greatest inside-outside duos in pro basketball history.
Malone played his college ball at Louisiana Tech (1982-85), and while there, he fathered a child with 13-year-old Gloria Bell. It wasn’t the first time Malone had fathered a child out of wedlock. Before heading to LTU, his high school sweetheart gave birth to twins.
In the Bell case, neither she nor her parents filed a statutory rape report. If either had, it’s almost sure that Malone would never have had the brilliant NBA career that he did. But the Bell family did take action, filing a paternity lawsuit. In it, the family asked Malone to provide $200 a week to support their daughter and her son, Demetress. Although Malone denied the claim, the parties arrived at an out-of-court settlement for an undisclosed amount.
Later, DNA analysis determined that there was a 99% chance that either Malone or his brother was Demetress Bell’s biological father.
Demetress didn’t know his biological father’s name until later in life, and once he did (and met Malone), the message was that it was too late for them to have a father-son relationship. Today, the two are reportedly on good terms, with Demetress saying that growing up without Malone had a benefit: it toughened him up for life.
While Demetress may feel that way, the public and media have spoken harshly about Malone. And why shouldn’t they? Karl Malone wasn’t accountable for one of life’s primary responsibilities–parenting.
