On Saturday, Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. was arrested. He now faces five felony charges, and NFL discipline could be coming. 
NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy has confirmed (via ESPN’s Marc Raimondi) the league will review Pearce’s situation. A fine and/or suspension under the personal conduct policy will be possible as a result. The NFL has long adopted a stance of waiting for all legal matters to play out before arriving at a decision on supplemental discipline, however.
The criminal complaint from the Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s Office details the alleged incident which resulted in Pearce’s arrest. The 22-year-old followed Rickea Jackson in a white Lamborghini SUV after a falling out between the two, per the complaint. Pearce and Jackson (who plays for the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks) dated for roughly three years until recently, Jackson later told police.
Upon seeing Jackson’s vehicle stopped at a red light, Pearce is alleged to have exited his Lamborghini and attempted to enter Jackson’s vehicle by opening the driver’s door. It was at that point that Jackson drove away and attempted to reach the Doral Police Department. Per the complaint, Pearce then entered his vehicle and used it to strike Jackson’s multiple times to prevent her from reaching the police station. Officers attempted to intervene, and an affidavit states Pearce fled the scene by driving away.
Once Pearce crashed at an intersection while being chased, he fled on foot. Police eventually caught up to and arrested him, and Pearce was “triaged on scene” for injuries sustained during the incident. He was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center later that day. On Sunday, a $20,500 bond was posted allowing Pearce to be released from custody. Charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon along with aggravated stalking and fleeing or eluding police with lights or siren are now pending.
“We look forward to working with the State Attorney’s Office in fully investigating this case and uncovering the truth,” a statement from Pearce’s attorneys reads. “Mr. Pearce maintains his innocence and urges the public to understand that while allegations have the power to shape a narrative, that it is hardly the full, complete story. We look forward to vigorously defending our client and remain confident that he will continue contributing positively to both his team and the community he serves so well.”
Selected 26th overall during last year’s draft, Pearce enjoyed a standout rookie campaign with 10.5 sacks and played a central role in the Falcons’ improvement in the pass rush department. His contract runs through 2028.
I only caught a couple of minutes of the NFL Honors program last Thursday. Ironically, in those few minutes James Pearce’s Mother was being interviewed. She went on about how proud she was of him not only for his on field accomplishments but the type of man he had become. Oh well!
I mean, going into the draft, he not only had vague character concerns both regarding football and off field behavior, but he had a Tennessee teammate full blown calling him crazy.
“While allegations have the power to shape a narrative, that it is hardly the full, complete story.” The allegations have him committing a cluster of what, four felonies? How wrong are we supposed to think this narrative is?
Theb word on the Street is that Roger Goodell put Bad Bunny in charge of the Pre-lim Report
Dudes probably pissed that his girl replaced him with one of her WNBA teammates.
Jealous?
That tall thin flat tatted women are not into him? Doubt it…
Meanwhile, the Rams are looking forward to that extra 1st round pick!
Man, lawyers are scum.
Facts
I remember when Scottie Sheffler hit a cop with his car too 🙄.
The most absurd part of this whole thing is trying to make the public believe that an Atlanta Falcons player would get arrested in Miami before The Super Bowl.
He was released on bond? Are you serious?
He’ll get great lawyers and get the Rasheed Rice treatment. Probably miss 6-8 games and the NFL protecting the shield will help make his problems diminish. Meanwhile Collin Kapernick has not played another down after kneeling during the anthem.
Colin kneeling was not what stopped him from playing. It had a small part I am sure but mostly was because he sucked. He had a good team around him that could cover his problems.
The league still ignoring Diggs strangle thing though. Felt like media had muzzles on for not mentioning that ever. Pearce will probably be dragged out and a light suspension.