Atlanta Falcons rookie edge rusher James Pearce Jr. was arrested in Florida on Saturday, brought about by a disturbing series of events involving WNBA star Rickea Jackson, his former girlfriend. Authorities say the incident, a domestic dispute to start with, escalated into a dangerous police chase that ended with a violent crash and multiple felony charges.
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According to Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez, officers were initially dispatched from the police headquarters after receiving reports of a dispute between a male and a female. Investigators later confirmed that the woman involved was Jackson, one of the rising stars in the WNBA.
The incident sparked widespread outrage across social media, including from former NFL players, who were critical of Pearce Jr. Ex-Steeler Breiden Fehoko was among the most vocal and scathing critics.
“Hitting women make you tough? Soft as a mf,” Breiden wrote on X. “I’m sick of hearing the ‘we gotta get these young men help, man.’ How about lock his a** in a cell with some real mfs and see how they feel about hitting females.”
Police stated that Pearce, 22, fled the scene before officers could intervene. What followed was a high-speed pursuit through Miami-Dade County when Pearce allegedly attempted to evade law enforcement. The chase ended near Northwest 103rd Avenue and 66th Street, where Pearce crashed his Lamborghini and was taken into custody.
Jail records show that Pearce now faces two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, one count of aggravated stalking, and one count of fleeing or eluding police with lights and sirens. Sources also told reporters that Pearce intentionally drove his vehicle toward a police officer during the pursuit, striking the officer’s knee in an apparent attempt to escape.
#Falcons DE James Pearce Jr. was arrested Saturday in Florida on charges including two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, and fleeing/eluding police.
Pearce was taken into custody after crashing his vehicle following a police chase. pic.twitter.com/5A9eEsh4hR
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 8, 2026
In addition, investigators allege that Pearce crashed into Jackson’s vehicle during the incident, adding to the seriousness of the case. He was booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, and his bond had not been set as of Sunday. A high-ranking police source described Pearce as “lucky to be alive” following the chaotic events.
The Atlanta Falcons released a brief statement acknowledging the situation.
“We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr. in Miami. We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time,” read the team’s statement.
