Basketball history usually loves a clean arc. You’ve got the grit, the glory, and the eventual jersey hanging in the rafters. But when it comes to "The Mailman," the delivery was a lot more complicated than those pick-and-rolls with John Stockton would suggest. For years, the story of Karl Malone and a 12-year-old girl named Gloria Bell was the elephant in the room that the NBA just didn’t want to acknowledge.
It wasn't a secret, exactly. It was more like a document filed away in a Louisiana courthouse that everyone agreed not to talk about while the points kept piling up in Salt Lake City. Honestly, it’s a story that feels jarring today. In the 1980s, the power dynamics of a 20-year-old college star and a middle-schooler were often swept under the rug. But the internet has a long memory.
The Summerfield Incident: How it Started
The year was 1983. Karl Malone was a 20-year-old sophomore at Louisiana Tech, a rising star in the Bulldog basketball program. He was already a massive presence, a physical specimen who looked like he belonged in the pros. Back in his small hometown of Summerfield, Louisiana—a place with a population of only a few hundred—he was the local hero.
That summer, he had a relationship with Gloria Bell. At the time, Gloria was just 12 years old. By the time she gave birth to their son, Demetress Bell, in May 1984, she was 13.
In Louisiana at the time, the age of consent was 17. By every legal definition on the books, this was statutory rape. Yet, no charges were ever filed. Why? Gloria’s family later explained that they didn’t want to see a local young man with a bright future go to prison. They thought if he became a professional athlete, he’d be in a better position to provide for the child.
It was a gamble that didn't exactly pay off the way they hoped.
👉 See also: Ja Morant Height: Why the NBA Star Looks Bigger Than He Actually Is
The Courtroom Battles Nobody Saw
When Malone moved on to the NBA and started making millions, the Bell family came looking for support. It wasn't a warm reunion. In 1986, when Malone was already a standout for the Utah Jazz, Gloria’s grandparents filed a paternity lawsuit. They weren't asking for the world—just $200 a week in child support.
Malone’s response? He basically ignored it.
He didn't show up to court. Because he failed to respond, a judge eventually ordered him to pay $125 a week plus medical expenses. Even then, Malone fought the paternity. It took nearly another decade for a court-ordered DNA test in 1996 to prove what everyone in Summerfield already knew: there was a 99.3% certainty that Karl Malone was the father.
Eventually, an out-of-court settlement was reached in 1989. It was a one-time lump sum. The terms were confidential, but the message was clear: Malone wanted the "problem" to go away so he could focus on being the MVP.
Demetress Bell: The Son Who Forged His Own Path
The most incredible part of this whole saga isn't Karl; it's Demetress. Imagine growing up knowing your father is one of the most famous men on the planet, but he won't even look at you. Demetress once told reporters that when he finally spoke to his father at age 17, Malone told him it was "too late" to be a father and that he’d have to make it on his own.
✨ Don't miss: Hulk Hogan Lifting Andre the Giant: What Really Happened at WrestleMania III
So, he did.
Demetress Bell didn't even play high school football. He was a basketball player like his dad. But he eventually picked up the pigskin at Northwestern State and, through sheer athleticism, turned himself into an NFL-caliber offensive lineman.
- Drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2008.
- Played five seasons in the NFL.
- Made millions on his own merit.
It’s almost poetic. The son Malone ignored ended up reaching the pinnacle of professional sports without a single dime or phone call of help from the NBA legend.
A Pattern of Paternity
If this were a one-time mistake from a young man, people might be more forgiving. But Malone had a track record. Around the same time he was at Louisiana Tech, he fathered twins—Cheryl and Daryl Ford—with a 17-year-old girl named Bonita Ford.
Much like with Demetress, Malone initially denied he was the father. It took another lawsuit and more DNA tests to settle that one too. Interestingly, Cheryl Ford went on to become a star in the WNBA, winning three championships. The Malone genetics were undeniable, even if the man himself tried to deny the responsibility that came with them.
🔗 Read more: Formula One Points Table Explained: Why the Math Matters More Than the Racing
Why We’re Still Talking About This in 2026
You might wonder why people still bring up things that happened forty years ago. In 2023, during the NBA All-Star weekend in Salt Lake City, the controversy caught fire again. Malone was serving as a judge for the Dunk Contest, and fans started digging into his past.
When asked about the "backlash" and the modern scrutiny of consent and power dynamics, Malone’s response was blunt: "I'm not discussing any of that... I don't care."
That lack of remorse is what keeps the story alive. In the current era of sports, where we look at athletes as role models and hold them to higher standards of "E-E-A-T" (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness), Malone’s history is a massive stain on an otherwise perfect career.
The Reconciliation
To be fair, the story did take a turn toward the end. Around 2014, Malone reportedly began mending fences with his eldest children. By 2018, Demetress and Karl were reportedly talking and texting regularly, even going on hunting trips together. Malone finally admitted publicly, "I didn't handle it right; I was wrong."
Is it too little, too late? For some, yes. For the children involved, maybe it's the closure they needed.
Actionable Takeaways from the Malone Saga
The story of Karl Malone and Gloria Bell serves as a case study in how the sports world has changed—and how it hasn't. Here’s how you should view this history:
- Contextualize Greatness: It is possible to acknowledge that Malone was one of the greatest power forwards to ever play while also acknowledging his significant personal failures. The two can exist at the same time.
- Understand Power Dynamics: This wasn't just a "mistake." It was a 20-year-old man in a position of power in a small town. When we talk about these stories, the age of the victim matters.
- Look for the Human Element: The real hero of the story isn't the guy with the statue in Salt Lake. It’s the kids who grew up in the shadow of a legend and built lives for themselves despite being rejected.
If you’re researching the history of the NBA's "Golden Era," don't just look at the stats. Look at the court documents. The truth is usually found in the archives, not the highlight reels. Keep an eye on how the league handles these legacy issues as they continue to promote Malone as an ambassador of the game.