Devon Still’s inspirational story could have a blemish.
Channing Smythe, the mother of Still’s 4-year-old daughter, Leah, told the New York Daily News on Wednesday that the Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman hasn’t paid child support in four months. Saying she doesn’t consider Still “a deadbeat dad,” Smythe claimed “I just need him to help me financially.”
Leah Still has become an inspiration to fans and the feel-good story of the NFL for her battle with pediatric cancer. The Bengals added Devon Still to their practice squad so he could pay for his daughter’s medical treatments, and the team has been selling his No. 75 jersey to help fund pediatric cancer research.
But Smythe told the Daily News that while Still “loves and cares” for his daughter, she has been pushed to the brink of homelessness awaiting his financial support.
Still released a statement via Twitter saying he plans to allow the court process to play out.
[tweet https://twitter.com/ColeyHarvey/status/537650283942535168 align=’center’]
Smythe has secured the legal services of Gloria Allred to argue her case to the NFL, reportedly in hopes of the league putting Still in violation of its personal conduct policy for his failure to pay the child support.
Photo via Chuck Cook/USA TODAY Sports Images
