Le’Veon Bell spent nine seasons as one of the NFL’s most dangerous running backs before stepping into a boxing ring. Since retiring, the former Pittsburgh Steelers star has built a 2-1 professional boxing record, alongside a 2022 exhibition TKO win over fellow NFL veteran Adrian Peterson.
A public feud between WWE star Logan Paul and Tom Brady recently led to a $1 million open challenge to any current or former NFL player willing to fight. Bell did not hesitate to respond.
Logan Paul Le’Veon Bell Officially Agreed $1M Boxing Showdown
The dispute started on the Impaulsive podcast on February 17, 2026, when Paul claimed he was the highest level of athlete. Bradypushed back directly, telling Paul: “No, you’re not the level. You’re a good athlete, but when I’m thinking of Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham, Justin Jefferson… it’s cute. I love WWE, it’s very cute, but this is like real football, this is real competition.”
Paul responded on a later episode, saying he believed he was more athletic than Brady across most sports. Brady then posted a training video alongside Gronkowski on Instagram in which headdressed Paul directly: “Logan Paul is a b***h. Come play with the big boys. You’re lucky you won’t get hit.”
On March 4, Paulfired back on his podcast, naming Brady, Myles Garrett, Puka Nacua, Gronkowski, and Sam Darnold as players he could beat, and put $1 million on the table for any current or former NFL player willing to step in a ring.
Le'Veon Bell Set to Shut Down Logan Paul for $1 Million After Paul-Brady Clash
Le’Veon Bell Set to Shut Down Logan Paul for $1 Million After Paul-Brady Clash (Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)
On March 5, Bellposted on X: “STOP DUCKING @LoganPaul. We all heard you say you can beat any NFL player. We can fight NFL draft weekend in Pittsburgh. Let’s make it happen.”
Pauldeclined the same day: “You’re not in the NFL. You can actually fight so I’d have to properly train and step away from WWE, which I won’t do. There’s no money here because you’re not a draw.”
Bell responded: “Bro said ‘you can actually fight.’ So he wants to fight someone who can’t fight back. That’s what we call DUCKING.”
Paulshiftedon March 6, tagging Bell directly with firm terms: 10-ounce gloves, no headgear, three-minute rounds until one man quits, no judges, $1 million in escrow, at his Puerto Rico gym with Bell’s travel covered.
Bellreplied the same day: “I box, never claimed anything else. Send the contract.” Both sides are publicly aligned on terms. A formally signed agreement has not yet been confirmed.
Fan reaction spread fast once the terms went public, and opinions online split hard in both directions.
Fans Roast Logan Paul as Le’Veon Bell Accepts the Challenge
Paul’s original targets drew mockery immediately.
One fanwrote, “What a tough guy, he wants to fight Tom Brady.”
Anotherdismissed the whole situation, “This is so lame. The Paul’s are losers.”
A thirdcommented, “Looking for Le’Veon Bell to shut this guy, Logan Paul, down! Paul has been calling out NFL athletes as not as tough as he is .. and that he can beat up all takers Social media influencer drivel Not doubting Paul is ‘in shape’, only that he’s not nearly as tough as he thinks.”
One fanpredicted, “Bell about to get his ass whipped lol.”
While anotheradded, “Bell gon get the brakes beat off him.”
Both fighters are publicly committed with terms agreed on social media and a contract still pending. The fight is targeted for next weekend in Puerto Rico, with $1 million on the line for the winner.
Paul and Brady are also set to appear at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic on March 21, originally scheduled at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event was relocated to Los Angeles after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, followed by Iranian retaliatory drone and missile attacks across the region. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported BMO Stadium as the likely replacement venue.