Rashee Rice faces a number of legal troubles and the league discipline which could come about as a result. The second-year Chiefs wideout is nevertheless set to take part in the team’s organized team activities without restriction. 
Rice will fully participate in Kansas City’s OTAs, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The 24-year-old is facing eight felony charges stemming from a March hit-and-run incident. Earlier this month, he was accused of punching a photographer in the face. That, in turn, comes after it was learned that an incident dating back to his time in college was known by all teams prior to last year’s draft.
The Chiefs are expecting a suspension to be handed down for Rice as a result of the hit-and-run charges. The NFL will likely wait for the legal process to play out before making a decision, though, leaving the team free to proceed with him how they see fit. Rice participated virtually in the opening phase of Kansas City’s offseason program. OTAs represent the most important stage of that process in terms of on-field work, and he will be available to take part.
The SMU product proved to be a key component of the Chiefs’ passing attack during his rookie season, amassing 938 yards and seven touchdowns during the regular season. Rice added a 26-262-1 statline during the team’s run to a second straight Super Bowl title, and he projects to remain a focal point on offense absent his legal situation(s). To little surprise, the team has invested at the wide receiver spot this offseason.
Kansas City signed Marquise Brown in free agency before trading up to select fellow speedster Xavier Worthy in the first round of the draft. Both wideouts will have a notable role for the Chiefs in 2024, and the same should remain true for Rice whenever he is allowed to re-join the team following a potential suspension. The latter is positioned to resume activities with the team for the time being.
Hope he doesn’t drive there.
Well, he has at least one friend who can’t give him one.
He will be an easy target. He’ll be the only receiver wearing orange on the team.
And a flashing ankle bracelet
Wow didn’t even see the alst report. 3 strikes and Rice isn’t at least on thin ice? Yikes.
I’m fine with the legal process playing out, and the NFL respecting that, so long as they take appropriate action afterward. I’d rather see Rice face the legal consequences of his actions than rely on the NFL to be the arbiter of justice in society. However, the league has not set that expectation. They have punished people arbitrarily for random offenses based on some private standard of guilt that we still cannot pin down. It feels hypocritical, especially when the league would suspend players with less proof before they were found guilty, and for more minor (or less dangerous) offenses at that (like Ezekiel Elliott or Matt Prater). So, yes, it feels like they should be punishing Rice already, based on the standard that they have set. And yet, for some reason, they haven’t.
The league should have never gotten in to the justice business, but once it did, it should have both been consistent and in accordance with the criminal process as to guilt. With the way that the league has currently set up its expectations for legal scandals, however, Rice should have been suspended already.
After the Ray Rice video the NFL had to crack down, because everyone saw it for what it was. Same here, this Rice was driving like an idiot, crashed into cars, then walked away from the scene. After punching the photographer, Rice should be suspended. Keep him off NFL property until he figures it out.
Can’t disagree with that.
Makes a bit of sense, odd for someone that doesn’t exhibit much though. Needs to keep the paychecks coming and by ‘attending’ he projects an image of being responsible, at least to his job. Don’t know if that’ll sway a court but any positive could influence.
What the league does likely depends on the duration of his legal difficulties to conclusion and how Texas handles his case.
Which case? He has 2. I thought he was charged with assault in a Club AFTER the crash. He’s got to be an idiot. Surprised the Chiefs even kept him. He’s not even that good.
He’s an idiot, but you’re mad if you think he’s not good.
they have video proof that didn’t happen. Just some idiot photographer trying to cash in with a made up story
If showing up for his job equates to an image of being responsible, that bar is set pretty darn low.
That’s pathetic. The NFL. League of criminals who get to play anyway. Should be in jail.
It is very ironic media in KC are out of sorts with Butger, yet hey let this guy slide.
Andy Reid is proof that if you are going to be a monster, it helps to look like a teddy bear.
Can anyone cite evidence of Andy Reid putting human life (his kids? his kids’ victims? his players? his players’ victims?) above football even once ever?
Andy Reid isn’t the justice system.
Idk why people expect him to do something that isn’t his job.
What are you looking for exactly? Them to suspend Rice from all off season activities?
If the NFL/Chiefs did that they(Chiefs or Rices legal team) could claim Rice “served” his suspension already trying to use a time served argument when he’s actually handed down a suspension from the NFL during the season. And they’d have a case/point if he was suspended all off season for his actions which could reduce or outright negate whatever the NFL hands down during the season.
I’d prefer Rice misses time during the season rather than the off season.
Well, at least it means a lot of people are keeping an eye on him.
How safe are those sideline photographers though?
you need to look into the whole story. the photographer made that up trying to cash in
Where have you seen that?
I see the story now. You might be right….money
Gotta go earn those workout bonuses to pay off the legal fees that are mounting.
Some drills might pose a challenge with the ball around his ankle.
I thought he was single… ok bad one there
Took me a second but I got it. Nice.
as long as he’s not gambling on games.
Taking the bus to practice, that monthly pass pays for itself. He feels shame.