James Pearce Jr. Facing 5-Years in Prison For Crashing Into WNBA Star ex-Girlfriend’s Car And Police Enrages Fans – “Extremely Disturbing”

When the football world was busy watching Super Bowl LX, the Atlanta Falcons had to deal with James Pearce Jr. and his run-in with law enforcement in Miami.

Videos showing a total of seven Miami-Dade police officers using their combined force to arrest the rookie are still garnering millions of views on social media.

At the time, it was reported that he got into a domestic dispute with WNBA star and ex-girlfriend Rickea Jackson, which eventually led to his arrest and then a bail after he posted a $20,500 bond.

ESPN’s Marc Raimondi revealed that, as per Jackson’s information to the police, she noticed James Pearce Jr. following her in a white Lamborghini SUV on Saturday morning. When she stopped at a red light, the linebacker got out of his SUV and tried to open her driver’s side door.

She sped away in the direction of the Doral Police Department (Florida). James Pearce Jr. got back into his vehicle and started following her and intentionally crashed into the Los Angeles Sparks star’s car. He cut her off at the intersection next to the police station, and as she tried to back out and drive away, the Falcons star collided with her car head-on.

When officers responded to Rickea Jackson’s call, they tried to get her former boyfriend to surrender, but he sped away and even struck an officer in the knee with his car in the process.

After being chased, the 2025 26th overall pick crashed at an intersection and was only tracked down and arrested after a foot chase. Now, he is facing a minimum of five years in prison for his actions.

Fans tear into James Pearce Jr. for criminal behavior

When football fans understood what James Pearce Jr. had done, they had nothing but frustration. They believe that getting a chance to play football at the highest level and get paid generational wealth is a luxury only a select few can get.

Now, to potentially throw it all away in the worst way was disappointing. After all, he finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, which means he was poised for a great future. Fans expressed their concerns on social media, examples of which are below.

This is extremely disturbing and serious 😔

— KASIYANEE😎 (@KAsiya_250n) February 9, 2026

Sometimes you read a news piece and you're like: "what exactly was the thought process?"

— Modern Sage (@Modern___Sage) February 9, 2026

10-12 years minimum.

— The_Gildz (@The_Gildz) February 9, 2026

Man, this is devastating 😔 Pearce had so much potential as a rookie edge rusher. Zero tolerance for that kind of behavior—hope everyone involved is okay and he gets the help he needs. Falcons nation gutted right now.

— Khan (@ccricket713) February 9, 2026

It’s over if he’s found guilty. What was ll bruh thinking? take your loss, keep it pushing and use that pain to get better at your craft. Instead everything you worked for could be over because you’re tender

— Lou facts (@LoufactsIGB) February 9, 2026

Another one bites the dust. I hope he gets what he deserves.

— Ros!e THEE Realtor (@rosie_martinee) February 9, 2026

CTE hittin early with that one

— Da Bear In Vegas🐻⬇️ 🏜 (@BearinVegas) February 9, 2026

Its just always sad to see a black guy who has access to millions choose to throw away his life like that

— MthoZungu (@ZunguMthoko) February 9, 2026

James Pearce Jr. faces five charges and will be set for trial later in the year. Naturally, Miami-Dade police will investigate everything to ensure there are no loopholes in this incident. Moreover, the NFL will also do its bit to investigate this matter.

If the league finds that the 22-year-old was at fault, he could face a suspension, even if he manages to walk away from prison. The NFL does not take domestic incidents lightly.

James Pearce Jr.’s attorneys claim he is innocent

Whenever that trial comes about, James Pearce Jr. would be hoping that his attorneys give him the best defense they can. They sent out a statement after his release on bond.

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.

The statement as quoted by Marc Raimondi

The problem is that initial reports are consistent with Rickea Jackson’s narration of the events that transpired. Crash marks on her car prove that the Atlanta Falcons star did collide into her vehicle, both from behind and from the front.

Then, she handed over all the text messages exchanged between them as evidence. Now, after police review surveillance footage and investigate other witnesses, those same attorneys could find it difficult to defend their client.

Also Read:

• President Donald Trump Labels Bad Bunny’s ‘Energetic’ Super Bowl Halftime Show As One of the Worst Ever
• Bad Bunny Sends Bold Message to America at the End of Halftime Show Amid Boycott Narrative