Atlanta Falcons rookie edge rusher James Pearce Jr., one of the NFL’s most productive first-year defenders this season, was arrested late Saturday in South Florida following a series of events that authorities say began with a domestic dispute and escalated into a dangerous police pursuit. According to reports from the Associated Press and Miami-area media, the incident involved WNBA forward Rickea Jackson, Pearce’s former girlfriend and a rising star with the Los Angeles Sparks.
What police initially described as a dispute between a man and a woman ultimately resulted in a crashed luxury vehicle, multiple felony charges, and an arrest that has sent shockwaves through both the NFL and WNBA communities. Pearce, 22, was taken into custody and booked at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center after Doral police said he fled from officers and later crashed his vehicle during an attempt to evade law enforcement.
Jail records list charges that include two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, and fleeing or eluding police with lights or sirens activated. As of the latest update, bond had not been set on all counts. The Atlanta Falcons have acknowledged the arrest, stating they are aware of the incident and are gathering more information while declining further comment due to the ongoing legal process.
The case has drawn intense public scrutiny not only because of the severity of the allegations, but also because of the high profiles of the individuals involved. Pearce entered the league with significant expectations after a standout collegiate career at Tennessee and an impressive rookie season in Atlanta, while Jackson has quickly established herself as one of the WNBA’s most promising young players. The allegations now threaten to overshadow both careers as investigators continue to piece together the events of that night.
Police Response and Escalation of the Incident
According to Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez, officers were initially dispatched from police headquarters after receiving a report of a domestic dispute involving a male and a female. Investigators later confirmed that the woman involved was Rickea Jackson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft and a key contributor for the Los Angeles Sparks during the 2025 season. Jackson averaged 14.7 points across 38 games, including 37 starts, and has been widely viewed as one of the league’s emerging talents.
Police say that before officers could intervene, James Pearce Jr allegedly fled the scene. What followed was a high-speed pursuit through Miami-Dade County, with law enforcement attempting to stop Pearce as he drove away from the reported dispute. Authorities allege that Pearce ignored police lights and sirens, leading officers on a chase that significantly increased the risk to public safety.
The pursuit reportedly ended near Northwest 103rd Avenue and 66th Street, where Pearce crashed his Lamborghini. He was then taken into custody without further incident and transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. A high-ranking police source later described Pearce as “lucky to be alive” following what authorities characterized as a chaotic and dangerous sequence of events.
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Investigators allege that the situation involved more than an attempt to flee. Sources cited by local media reported that Pearce intentionally drove his vehicle toward a police officer during the pursuit, striking the officer’s knee in an apparent effort to escape. In addition, police allege that Pearce crashed into Jackson’s vehicle multiple times during the incident, a factor that has contributed to the seriousness of the charges filed against him. Authorities have not released detailed information about Jackson’s condition, and no official statement from her representatives has been made public as of this writing.
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The charges listed in jail records include two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, a charge that under Florida law can apply when a vehicle is allegedly used in a manner capable of causing serious bodily harm. Pearce also faces a charge of aggravated stalking, as well as fleeing or eluding police with lights and sirens activated. Together, the charges represent significant legal exposure and carry the potential for severe penalties if prosecutors proceed and convictions are obtained.
Rickea Jackson’s Rising Career and Public Reaction
Rickea Jackson’s involvement in the case has added another layer of attention, given her status as one of the WNBA’s most recognizable young players. A forward for the Los Angeles Sparks, Jackson was selected fourth overall in the 2024 draft after a collegiate career that included stops at Mississippi State and Tennessee. During the 2025 WNBA season, she emerged as a consistent offensive presence, averaging 14.7 points per game and starting nearly every contest for the Sparks.
The news that Jackson was allegedly the victim in a domestic dispute involving a prominent NFL player prompted an immediate and emotional response across social media. Fans, fellow athletes, and commentators expressed concern for Jackson’s safety and called for accountability as details began to emerge. While Jackson herself has not publicly commented on the incident, the confirmation by Doral Police that she was the woman involved has placed her at the center of a national conversation that extends beyond sports.
Former NFL players were among those who reacted publicly to the allegations. Ex-Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko posted a scathing response on social media platform X, condemning the alleged behavior and criticizing what he described as a pattern of excusing violent conduct by young professional athletes. His comments were widely shared and reflected a broader sentiment of anger and frustration among fans who expect leagues and teams to take allegations of domestic violence seriously.
The reaction underscores how incidents involving professional athletes often resonate far beyond the individuals directly involved. For the WNBA, which has made player safety and advocacy central to its public identity, the situation has renewed discussions about the risks female athletes may face in their personal lives and the importance of institutional support when allegations of abuse arise. For the NFL, the arrest of a first-round rookie adds to a long history of legal and disciplinary challenges involving players, particularly in cases involving violence or alleged domestic abuse.
Impact on the Falcons and Pearce’s Future
James Pearce Jr. entered the NFL with considerable promise and quickly justified his first-round selection. Drafted No. 26 overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2025 NFL Draft, Pearce was viewed as a key piece in the franchise’s effort to revitalize its pass rush. In his rookie season, he led the Falcons in sacks with 10.5 and finished third in voting for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He set a team rookie record with 45 quarterback pressures and added 26 tackles, 16 quarterback hits, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery across all 17 games.
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Despite Pearce’s on-field success, the Falcons endured a disappointing 8–9 season that resulted in significant organizational changes. Head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot were both fired, with the team later hiring Kevin Stefanski as head coach and Ian Cunningham as general manager. Pearce was widely expected to remain a cornerstone of the defense as the franchise entered a period of transition under new leadership.
The arrest now places Pearce’s future with the team and in the league in serious doubt. The Falcons released a brief statement acknowledging the situation, confirming they are aware of the incident and are gathering more information while refraining from further comment on an open legal matter. The NFL has not yet announced whether it will place Pearce on the commissioner’s exempt list or initiate its own investigation under the league’s personal conduct policy, a process that often runs parallel to criminal proceedings.
From a legal standpoint, Pearce faces a complex and potentially lengthy process. The combination of felony charges, allegations involving a former partner, and claims of endangering law enforcement officers significantly raises the stakes. Even absent a conviction, the mere presence of such allegations can have lasting professional consequences, including suspension, contract implications, and reputational damage that may be difficult to overcome.
For the Falcons, the situation presents both competitive and ethical challenges. The team must balance due process for a player who has not been convicted with the expectations of fans, sponsors, and the league to respond appropriately to serious allegations. How the organization navigates the coming weeks may shape public perception of its leadership during a period already marked by upheaval.
As the case proceeds, attention will remain focused on the legal system’s handling of the charges and on any additional information released by authorities. The outcome will have implications not only for James Pearce Jr.’s career, but also for Rickea Jackson, whose own professional trajectory now intersects with a highly publicized and deeply troubling set of allegations.