Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell said Thursday that a police officer let him leave a traffic stop without a ticket due to his “Make America Great Again” hat.
Bell relayed his account of events on X, days after publicly endorsing former President Donald Trump in this year’s election.
“I got pulled over, cop asks for my license & registration, & while I’m in process of getting everything for him he then says ’I love your hat man.’ Immediately I say ’OF COURSE, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN SIR,’” Bell wrote on social media. “He hands me back my things and says, ’Have a great day, Mr. Bell.’”
The former NFL star said in a follow-up that he was driving 53 mph in a 45 mph zone.
The post, which was viewed more than 2 million times within four hours, drew criticism from social media users who questioned the legitimacy of the interaction.
“Another story that never happened,” one X user wrote. Others joked that Bell, who is Black, had unlocked “MAGA privilege.”
Bell, along with controversial former wide receiver Antonio Brown, introduced Mr. Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
“Trump a real one bro,” Bell said of the experience on Wednesday.
The former running back spent nine seasons in the NFL during stints with the Steelers, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since his retirement, Bell has participated in a handful of boxing events and posted gaming videos for paying subscribers on OnlyFans.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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