Karl Malone's Past Under Fire After Wembanyama's Post

The NBA's birthday tribute to Karl Malone on July 24 sparked widespread backlash after rising star Victor Wembanyama responded with a viral comment criticizing Malone. Wembanyama shared a post stating "Police, lock his ass up because he need to be under the jail," which circulated rapidly across social media platforms including X, Instagram, and Reddit.

This reaction revived longstanding controversy around Malone's past relationship with Gloria Bell, who was 13 years old when their sexual relationship began in the 1980s while Malone was a 20-year-old college athlete at Louisiana Tech University. The relationship resulted in pregnancy, and DNA testing confirmed in 1998 that Malone fathered Bell's son, Demetress Bell, who later played in the NFL.

Court documents revealed Malone initially denied paternity and refused child support, with the matter eventually settled privately outside court. No criminal charges were filed, reportedly due to the Bell family's reluctance to prosecute. Malone has consistently called it a "private matter," and the NBA has never publicly addressed the allegations or confirmed paternity.

The league's silence following renewed criticism has drawn condemnation from advocacy groups and commentators, who note the contradiction with the NBA's social justice campaigns. This controversy echoes 2023 protests against a Malone statue at Louisiana Tech University.

Wembanyama's intervention represents a trend of younger NBA players using their platforms to demand accountability for historical misconduct. His actions have intensified public debate about how the league acknowledges controversies involving iconic players.