Atlanta Falcons first-round draft pick James Pearce Jr. was arrested late night in Miami following an alleged domestic dispute involving Los Angeles Sparks WNBA star Rickea Jackson. According to authorities, the incident escalated into a police chase before ending with a vehicle crash.
The 22-year-old linebacker is currently being held at a Miami-area jail and faces multiple charges, including two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, and fleeing or eluding police. Law enforcement officials say officers were initially dispatched after receiving reports of a dispute between a man and a woman.
According to TMZ Sports, the police later identified the woman involved in the alleged incident as Rickea Jackson, a standout player for the Los Angeles Sparks. Details surrounding the nature of the dispute and the circumstances leading up to the chase have not yet been fully disclosed, and the investigation remains ongoing.
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The situation got worse when police arrived to investigate
When officers arrived and began investigating, Pearce Jr. fled the area in his car instead of cooperating. A spokesperson for the Doral Police Department confirmed that police immediately chased the fleeling vehicle. The pursuit ended when the former Tennessee Vols standout crashed his car. Officers took him into custody after the crash. Running from police added more serious charges to his case.
A video claiming to show the arrest has been circulating on social media platforms. However, law enforcement officials have not confirmed if the footage is authentic. While some NFL players have been maintaining strong relationships through daily routines, this incident shows how quickly things can go wrong.
The Atlanta Falcons released a statement Saturday evening about the incident. The team said they are taking the matter seriously and are gathering more information before making any roster decisions. Unlike other NFL stars enjoying their offseason, Pearce Jr. now faces a serious legal battle.
The Falcons said in their statement: “We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr., in Miami. We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time.” The team appears to be waiting for all the facts to come out from the legal process before taking action.
Published: Feb 8, 2026 01:00 pm