Rashee Rice

Chiefs WR Rashee Rice: “I’ve Learned So Much”

This offseason has been one filled with legal troubles for Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice. Rice is facing a total of eight felony charges stemming from a hit-and-run incident in Dallas on the evening of March 30, an incident in which he and another driver were believed to be street racing (with Rice allegedly reaching a speed of 119mph). About a month later, Rice was accused of punching a photographer at a Dallas nightclub.

During his meeting with police about the hit-and-run matter, Rice reportedly accepted “full responsibility” for his role, and his attorney later indicated that his client intends to cover the expenses of the victims, though Rice is being sued for over $1MM in actual damages and $10MM in punitive damages by two of those victims. The photographer that Rice allegedly struck subsequently asked police to not file charges against the second-year wideout, and the investigation was reportedly closed shortly thereafter.

While it seems as though Rice will not face charges for his encounter with the photographer, that incident could nonetheless impact the suspension that the Chiefs expect the NFL to hand down at some point. The league may wait until the hit-and-run legal process plays out before issuing sanctions, but once that happens, the alleged assault — as well as an incident that took place while Rice was still in college, in which the then-SMU player or a member of his party fired shots into an empty vehicle belonging to a member of the school’s basketball team — may well factor into the punishment.

In the meantime, Rice is free to take part in all team activities, and he was a full particpant in the Chiefs’ OTAs. Yesterday, he participated in a youth football camp in Kansas City alongside a number of the team’s other top receivers, and he offered his first public comments on his situation (via ESPN).

“I’ve learned so much from [the hit-and-run],” Rice said. “All I can do is mature and continue to grow from that. This (the youth football camp) is a step in a better direction for me.”

While vowing to improve as a person, Rice added, “[a]ccidents and stuff like that happen, but all you can do is move forward and walk around being the same person, try to be positive so that everybody can feel your love and your great energy.”

As a rookie in 2023, Rice was the Chiefs’ most effective wide receiver, and whenever his seemingly inevitable suspension is levied, KC will feel his absence. The team did address its WR corps in a meaningful way this offseason, adding Marquise Brown in free agency and another speed merchant, Xavier Worthy, in the first round of the 2024 draft. The club recently agreed to a re-up with Mecole Hardman and is still rostering Justin WatsonSkyy Moore, and Kadarius Toney.

Rashee Rice Accuser Asks Police Not To File Charges

MAY 23: A member of Rice’s camp has been informed by Dallas Police the investigation has come to a close, per Josina Anderson of CBS Sports. She adds that the second-year wideout himself was never interviewed as part of the investigation. Rice still faces a potential suspension from the hit-and-run incident, but (barring any future league discipline), this episode appears to now be behind him.

MAY 21: Rashee Rice‘s chances of being available for the Chiefs’ full threepeat bid may be bleak, as three separate incidents are factoring into a potential suspension — one the team expects. The most recent of these events is no longer expected to produce a charge, however.

The Kansas City wide receiver was accused of punching a photographer in the face at a Dallas nightclub earlier this month, but the accuser is not preparing to press charges. “The reporting party has signed an affidavit of non-prosecution,” per the Dallas Police Department (via ESPN.com’s Adam Teicher). The photographer called the incident a misunderstanding, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero adds.

As Roger Goodell-era NFL fans know well by now, players can still be punished by the league regardless of charges emerging. And Rice still has the matter of the March hit-and-run incident to navigate. The 2023 second-rounder’s biggest offseason hurdle remains the eight felony charges from the car accident. Rice, 24, was believed to be street racing; he was traveling at 119mph and fled the scene following the accident.

An incident in which Rice or a member of his party fired gunshots into an empty car belonging to an SMU basketball player, occurring while Rice was still at the Dallas-area school, is also set to factor into an NFL investigation. The incident involving the photographer may end up the lowest-profile matter in a league probe.

The Chiefs have welcomed Rice back. After participating virtually in the first phase of the Chiefs’ offseason program, Rice is working with the team at OTAs. The Chiefs have navigated extensive off-field troubles involving high-profile players in recent years, and suspensions did come down for the likes of Frank Clark, Charles Omenihu and Kareem Hunt. The latter was with the Browns when he served an eight-game ban. Omenihu served a six-game suspension for a domestic violence arrest, and Clark was popped for two games for a gun issue.

Andy Reid‘s team navigated the D-line suspensions en route to Super Bowl titles. Unless the Rice investigation drags into 2025, the two-time reigning champions should be expected to play a chunk of the season without their leading wide receiver from 2023.

Rashee Rice To Participate In Chiefs’ OTAs

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.

WR Rumors: Chiefs, OBJ, Giants, Packers

Rashee Rice faces eight felony charges in connection with a hit-and-run incident earlier this year; the second-year Chiefs wideout has since been accused of punching a photographer in the face at a nightclub. On top of that, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes teams were aware a previous incident — while Rice was at SMU — ahead of last year’s draft. Believing former SMU basketball player Kendric Davis was seeing his girlfriend, Rice and others attended a Mustangs basketball game. Rice or a member of his party, per intel gathered during the pre-draft process, fired multiple bullets into Davis’ car, which was empty at the time. The Chiefs, who have displayed a rather high tolerance for off-field issues, chose Rice 55th overall in 2023 and saw him fare well during the team’s Super Bowl LVIII-winning season.

The incident at SMU did not produce a police report, Florio adds, but it would factor into any potential punishment Rice receives under the NFL’s personal conduct policy. The Chiefs are bracing for a suspension. While Rice is facing the eight felony charges, he is still viewed as a key part of Kansas City’s offense. The promising wideout attended the first phase of Kansas City’s offseason program virtually.

Here is the latest from the wideout landscape:

  • The Chiefs joined the Cardinals, Titans and Cowboys in meeting with Zay Jones last week. While the recent Jaguars cut ended up signing with the Cardinals, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler adds he was also interested in joining the Chiefs. Jones landed a one-year deal worth up to 4.25MM. Rice’s issues are likely spurring the Chiefs on the receiver front, as they have already signed Marquise Brown and traded up in Round 1 for Xavier Worthy. A Rice suspension is not a lock to commence during the 2024 season, but it certainly could. It appears the Chiefs are preparing a contingency plan, though the free agent market is obviously thin at this point.
  • One of the other receivers recently taken off the market, Odell Beckham Jr. joined Jones in signing a one-year deal. The Dolphins closed a lengthy back-and-forth with the veteran target, giving him a $3MM deal. But OBJ could see that figure more than double through incentives. The Dolphins must finish as a top-20 offense to trigger any Beckham escalator, per SI.com’s Albert Breer, but the yardage totals are achievable. Beckham would earn $400K for reaching 566 yards (his 2023 Ravens total), another $800K for 650 and an additional $1MM for 800 yards. Just 36 receptions would produce a $400K payment, with 45 and 55 catches respectively representing the $800K and $1MM triggers on the catch front. Payments of $400K and $450K are respectively in place for four and six touchdowns.
  • Brian Daboll said (via the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy) the team’s Allen Robinson addition does not have any bearing on the situation with Darius Slayton. The team’s leading receiver in four of the past five seasons, Slayton is staying away from Giants voluntary offseason work in pursuit of an adjusted contract. Slayton’s two-year, $12MM deal does include a fully guaranteed salary ($2.6MM) this year, but the sixth-year pass catcher is aiming for more. Robinson, who is coming off three consecutive down seasons, received the veteran minimum (with just $25K guaranteed) to sign.
  • Alex McGough spent all of last season on the Packers‘ practice squad, re-emerging in the NFL after winning USFL MVP honors in 2023. The Packers are giving the veteran reserve QB an unusual assignment this year. They have moved McGough to receiver, Matt LaFleur said recently (via Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams). McGough worked as a receiver during practice at points last season. The Packers are team No. 5 for the 2018 Seahawks draftee. Green Bay used McGough as its third QB last season. It appears Tulane’s Michael Pratt, a seventh-round pick, has a decent shot to be the passer behind Jordan Love and Sean Clifford this season.

Chiefs’ Rashee Rice Under Investigation For Alleged Assault

MAY 9: The police report detailing the incident notes the suspect – whom FOX4’s Steven Dial confirms is Rice – contacted the photographer while the latter was in his car shortly after departing the Lit Kitchen and Lounge. Upon returning, Rice is alleged to have shown the victim records of a conversation involving the victim and another person on Rice’s phone before punching the victim in the face. That and other police-related developments in this case will no doubt be considered by the NFL regarding any potential league discipline.

MAY 7: Rashee Rice is facing eight felony charges in connection with a hit-and-run incident earlier this year. The Chiefs wide receiver has run into more trouble. He is now being investigated for an alleged assault.

The investigation centers on Rice allegedly hitting a photographer Monday night a Dallas nightclub, WFAA’s Rebecca Lopez, Rachel Snyder and Joe Trahan report. Police are interviewing witnesses about the alleged assault.

Rice, 24, is likely to face an NFL suspension — which presently is the least of his concerns, given the charges from the March hit-and-run development — for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. It is not known if a ban will come down in 2024, but a suspension at some point is expected. Another incident will add to the second-year wide receiver’s distractions and potentially tack on suspension time or introduce a second ban that comes at a separate point.

A 2023 second-round pick, Rice did well to bail the Chiefs out from an ill-conceived wide receiver plan last season. Becoming a consistent presence during season’s second half, the SMU product totaled 79 receptions for 938 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie. Rice remained a reliable target for Patrick Mahomes — during a season in which few of those were present — in the playoffs. The two-time reigning Super Bowl champs have since made major updates to their receiving corps. The Chiefs signed Marquise Brown and traded up for Xavier Worthy in Round 1. Rice, however, is expected to remain a key part of Kansas City’s passing attack.

Rice was believed to be street racing in a Lamborghini SUV, helping to cause a six-car accident on a Dallas highway in March. Rice’s vehicle reached 119mph just before the crash, and the young wideout fled the scene. Rice later turned himself in. He is believed to be helping financially with crash victims’ expenses, though a civil suit has since emerged. The 6-foot-2, 203-pound receiver did not show for the start of the Chiefs’ offseason program but took part in meetings virtually.

From Kareem Hunt to Tyreek Hill to Frank Clark, the Chiefs have seen a number of high-profile players run into off-field trouble in recent years. Charles Omenihu began his Kansas City tenure with a six-game suspension stemming from a domestic violence arrest. Clark and Hunt also served suspensions, the latter’s ban coming after the Chiefs waived him. This latest Rice development will certainly be a storyline to monitor for the defending champions.

Chiefs Bracing For Rashee Rice Suspension

Rashee Rice was booked on eight felony charges stemming from a hit-and-run incident in Dallas in late March. As the Chiefs wide receiver navigates his legal situation, he’s also likely to face punishment from the NFL.

[RELATED: Chiefs WR Rashee Rice Taken Into Custody]

Albert Breer of SI.com writes that the Chiefs are “bracing for” a Rice suspension. ESPN’s Adam Schefter echoes that sentiment, writing that Rice is expected to be slapped with a “multigame suspension.” Of course, considering Roger Goodell‘s penchant for cracking down on off-the-field incidents, this shouldn’t come as a huge surprise.

Both Breer and Schefter opine that Rice’s looming suspension may end up influencing the front office’s draft approach. Breer writes that wide receiver is now “higher on the list than it might’ve been a couple of months ago,” while Schefter notes that the Chiefs were seeking receiver reinforcement even before Rice’s legal issues.

The Chiefs already made one splash at the position, adding Marquise Brown to their receivers room. However, if Rice is out of the picture, the team is eyeing a similar WR corps that underwhelmed in 2023. While Brown and Travis Kelce can soak up plenty of snaps, Patrick Mahomes would still have to lean on the likes of Justin Watson, Skyy Moore, and Kadarius Toney (who, perhaps surprisingly, remains in the team’s plans). Rice has recently been virtually attending the Chiefs’ offseason program.

Rice was clocked driving 119 miles per hour prior to the March crash. He turned himself in after a warrant was issued for his arrest, and he is facing charges of aggravated assault, collision involving serious bodily injury, and collision causing injury.

In addition to the forfeited paychecks via an eventual suspension, Rice will be facing more financial repercussions. Rice and SMU’s Theodore Knox, who was also involved in the hit-and-run, are being sued for over $1MM in damages and $10MM in punitive damages by two victims in the crash (per Olivia Johnson of Fox4 in Kansas City).

Kadarius Toney Still In Chiefs’ Plans; Latest On Rashee Rice

It certainly would be understandable if the Chiefs washed their hands of Kadarius Toney after the events of 2023. Although the shifty wide receiver stayed healthier than he did in 2021 and ’22, his inconsistency cost the eventual champions during a clunky season for its passing attack.

Patrick Mahomes‘ first QBR finish outside the top five (eighth) involved a 14th-place finish in passer rating, and drops from Travis Kelce and his far less reliable wide receiver corps played a major role in an inconsistent Chiefs regular season. Toney was the lead culprit, and his infamous offside infraction and Week 16 drop that led to a Patriots interception highlighted a bad season from the first-round pick. The Chiefs went 6-0 down the stretch with Toney and Skyy Moore inactive; the former was a healthy scratch in Super Bowl LVIII.

That roster decision came after Toney criticized the Chiefs in a rant before the AFC championship game. The former Giants first-rounder accused the team of lying about his injury status. Kansas City’s injury report listed Toney as being out due to ankle and hip injuries for the AFC decider in Baltimore. Toney, whom the Giants moved due to reliability concerns, totaled just 169 receiving yards in 13 games last season.

The Chiefs owe Toney $2.53MM in guaranteed salary in his contract year. While the Marquise Brown addition will likely precede another high draft choice being used on a receiver (especially in light of the Rashee Rice developments), Andy Reid is not closing the book on Toney’s time in Kansas City.

Listen, I mean, Kadarius is arguably one of the most talented guys we have on the team. It’s just a matter of staying healthy and being able to stay on the field,” Reid said (h/t Yardbarker.com’s Clark Dalton). “You always hear about the reliability, accountability, all those things that go into it. And so, I’m expecting him to come back ripping and ready to go.

With the Giants, Toney encountered chronic hamstring trouble; ankle, quad, knee and oblique issues also sidelined the Florida alum during his first two seasons. Frequently absent with the Giants and Chiefs in 2022, Toney logged 15 missed games over his first two seasons. After being forced out of the 2022 AFC title game, however, Toney set a Super Bowl record with a 65-yard punt return; that came shortly after a 5-yard touchdown reception in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVII win over the Eagles.

Kansas City’s top three receivers for 2024 could consist of Brown, Rice and a to-be-determined draftee. That would leave Toney and Moore’s roles uncertain. Rice, however, has a host of issues to navigate.

Reid said (via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport) Rice is virtually attending the Chiefs’ offseason program after being booked on eight felony charges in connection with a hit-and-run incident in Dallas. This has thrown another significant offseason hurdle into the equation for the Chiefs. Kansas City has been here before with a wide receiver, with Tyreek Hill being banned from the team facility — amid a second bout of off-field trouble — during the 2019 offseason.

It remains to be seen how the NFL will proceed with Rice, who is cooperating with authorities after a six-car accident that came shortly after his car reached 119mph, per the Dallas Morning News’ Jamie Landers and Kelli Smith. Rice, who was believed to be street racing through traffic on a Dallas highway, suffered minor injuries in the wreck.

The team’s top 2023 wideout staying away from the first phase of the Chiefs’ offseason program affects the roles of Toney and Moore, who did not live up to expectations in 2023. A suspension stands to be in the cards for Rice, though he has a significant legal matter to deal with before an NFL ban reaches the front burner. For now, Toney remains a Chief, as it appears Reid is fine giving him another shot.

Chiefs WR Rashee Rice Taken Into Custody

APRIL 11: Rice has turned himself in, Lopez reports. The Chiefs wide receiver was moved to the DeSoto (Texas) Jail, posting a combined bond of $40K. All eight of Rice’s charges are felony counts. Additionally, SMU suspended the driver of the other vehicle in this accident — Knox — earlier Thursday.

APRIL 10: Rashee Rice‘s legal situation stemming from a hit-and-run incident in Dallas has seen a notable but expected development. The second-year Chiefs receiver is the subject of an arrest warrant, WFAA’s Rebecca Lopez and Paul Livengood report.

Rice is facing a total of eight charges, per the warrant: six counts of collision involving bodily injury, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and one count of aggravated assault. The report indicates Rice now has one day to turn himself in to police.

The 23-year-old was one of two people behind the wheel when a Lamborghini SUV and a Corvette lost control the night of March 30. The drivers were believed to be racing, and they fled the scene immediately after the crash. 10.8 grams of marijuana was found in Rice’s vehicle after the crash, per a separate WFAA report. That amount would lead to a Class B misdemeanor charge in Texas. The latter report adds that all occupants (six in total, between the two vehicles) fled the scene of the crash.

Rice has since retained legal counsel, and he has accepted responsibility for his role in the crash (which caused two of its victims to be hospitalized). Rice is also leasing the Corvette, which was being driven at the time by Theodore Knox. The latter now faces the same charges as Rice, per the Dallas Police Department. Knox is listed on SMU’s football roster; Rice spent his four-year college career with the Mustangs.

Rice’s attorney acknowledged last week that he and his client expected charges to be laid in this situation. He added the latter intends to cover the expenses facing the victims of the crash. Rice has publicly stated he will cooperate with authorities in their investigation, and doing so will now include surrendering himself to police in the immediate future.

Kansas City endured plenty of struggles in the receiving corps last season, but Rice had a productive rookie season with 938 yards and seven touchdowns on 79 receptions. He added another 26 catches and one score during the team’s run to a second straight Super Bowl, positioning himself as a key figure in the team’s offense for 2024 and beyond. The Chiefs signed Marquise Brown in free agency, but the team could make further additions during the upcoming draft.

The NFL indicated (via Mark Maske of the Washington Post) the league continues to monitor the Rice situation. Legal action is not required for fines or suspensions to be handed down, but it would not come as a surprise if the league elected to await further developments now that formal charges are in place.

Chiefs WR Rashee Rice Expected To Be Charged In Hit-And-Run Incident

APRIL 4: Rice’s lawyer confirmed (via the Kansas City Star’s Sam McDowell) his client was involved in the crash. Rice was driving the Lamborghini SUV, not the Corvette, on Saturday. No charges have been filed, but Rice’s attorney (via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s James Hartley) expects charges to come down soon.

Rice’s attorney, Texas state senator Royce West, declined to answer a question as to why the Chiefs wideout and others left the scene but indicated his client intends to take care of the injury- and damage-driven expenses incurred by the other crash victims.

APRIL 3: Rashee Rice met with Dallas police about his alleged role in the Saturday hit-and-run incident, a six-car crash believed to have been caused by two vehicles street racing.

The Chiefs wide receiver accepted “full responsibility” for his role in the accident, though the 23-year-old did not specify what that role was. A Corvette and a Lamborghini Urus were racing along a stretch of the North Central Expressway, and Rice now has ties to both vehicles. A police call sheet suspected Rice as the driver of the Corvette, and Kelli Smith of the Dallas Morning News reports the SMU alum rented the Lamborghini SUV in March.

The only person contractually allowed to drive the Urus while renting it, Rice rented the vehicle for more than $10K per month. He was expected to return it “sometime in June,” Smith adds. A text message reviewed by the Morning News indicated “Rashee” promised to pay for any damages. Rice said Wednesday he will continue to cooperate with authorities.

Both drivers lost control of their vehicles in the crash, causing a high-speed collision when the Lamborghini barreled into a center median wall just before 6:30pm Saturday. The two drivers fled the scene before providing any information. Three men were in the Lamborghini. Two other people involved in the accident suffered minor injuries and needed to be hospitalized. No arrest has been made.

More details on the wreck have since emerged. The two vehicles attempted to pass cars in the left lane, per Smith, who adds the cars collided with other vehicles across several lanes along the Dallas-area highway. At least three victims in this accident have brought in legal counsel; Rice did so on Sunday.

It remains uncertain which car Rice was driving in this accident — if, in fact, he was behind the wheel of either vehicle — but the 2023 second-round pick is closely tied to the wreck. It may be too early to suggest Rice is a clear candidate for an NFL suspension, but that would be on the radar if a charge is eventually filed.

Police Searching For Chiefs WR Rashee Rice In Connection With Car Accident

APRIL 1: Rice retained legal counsel, per CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson. The wide receiver’s new legal representative said Monday (via the Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins) his client is cooperating with local authorities.

MARCH 31: A car accident Saturday night has produced a police investigation centering around Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice. Police are searching for Rice in connection with the crash, Kelli Smith and R.J. Coyle of the Dallas Morning News report.

This “major accident” involving a vehicle believed to be registered or leased to Rice occurred around 6:20pm Saturday on a Dallas highway. A driver of a Chevrolet Corvette and a driver of a Lamborghini SUV were speeding on a stretch of the North Central Expressway, per Dallas police, causing the accident.

Both drivers lost control of their vehicles in the crash, causing a high-speed collision when the Lamborghini barreled into a center median wall in a six-car accident. The two drivers fled the scene before providing any information, according to the Morning News. The two vehicles were believed to be racing, per WFAA’s Pete Freedman and Rebecca Lopez. Three men were in the Lamborghini; Rice is believed to have been driving the Corvette.

Two others involved in the accident suffered minor injuries and needed to be hospitalized. No arrest has been made, but a police call sheet confirms Rice is at the center of a search, Smith and Coyle note. Rice will have some questions to answer ahead of his second NFL offseason, though WFAA notes Dallas police have not named the 23-year-old NFLer a suspect at this point.

The Chiefs chose Rice 55th overall out of SMU in last year’s draft. A year after the team chose Skyy Moore in the second round, Rice joined a squad in need at wide receiver. The Chiefs’ receiver trouble became well documented last season, as drops plagued the defending Super Bowl champions. The team’s uneven season at the position also featured backup wideout Justyn Ross landing on the commissioner’s exempt list and eventually receiving a six-game suspension.

Rice emerged as the team’s most dependable wideout and finished his rookie year with 79 receptions for 938 yards and seven touchdowns. Rice’s touchdown and yardage totals each ranked second for a rookie in Chiefs history. As the team could not coax steady production from its more experienced wide receivers throughout last season, its 6-foot-2 rookie — obtained after efforts to trade up for a receiver in last year’s first round did not produce a deal — came through.

Rice added an eight-reception, 130-yard showing in the Chiefs’ wild-card win over the Dolphins, and he caught six passes in the team’s Super Bowl LVIII win. He will be expected to be a key part of Kansas City’s 2024 receiving corps, which will also include Marquise Brown and perhaps another notable addition. But the results of this investigation could put Rice on the radar for an NFL suspension.