Atlanta Falcons defensive player James Pearce Jr. has been suspended for eight games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy stemming from a domestic dispute with WNBA player Rickea Jackson earlier this year. The suspension means Pearce Jr. will miss nearly half of the upcoming NFL season.
The incident occurred six months prior to the suspension, when Pearce Jr. was accused of chasing Jackson, his ex-girlfriend and a former Los Angeles Sparks player now with the Chicago Sky, in his Lamborghini SUV. According to a police incident report, Pearce Jr. then intentionally collided with the rear of Jackson’s vehicle.
As Jackson attempted to evade him, police stated that Pearce Jr. intentionally collided head-on with her vehicle. Officers arrived on the scene and ordered Pearce Jr. to exit his vehicle, but he allegedly did not comply. He then drove away from the officers, crashed his vehicle in an attempt to flee, and tried to evade apprehension on foot before being taken into custody.
Mugshot of Atlanta Falcons rookie James Pearce Jr.
Pearce Jr. faced several felony charges related to the incident, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, and fleeing and eluding police officers. In April, he reached an agreement with Florida prosecutors. His attorney stated that Pearce Jr. would enter a pretrial intervention program, and if all conditions were met without violation, the charges would be dismissed.
Pearce Jr. played in 17 games during his rookie season last year, recording 10.5 sacks. The Falcons were reportedly aware of the impending suspension and had adjusted his position on the team’s depth chart.