Ex-NFL prospect faces felony charges for allegedly ramming WNBA star Rickea Jackson's car, sparking a chase and fear for her life.
A troubling legal situation involving WNBA forward Rickea Jackson and her former boyfriend, NFL linebacker James Pearce Jr., has escalated after prosecutors filed multiple charges connected to a February incident in South Florida.
According to Miami-Dade court records, Pearce now faces three felony charges. It includes aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police, and resisting an officer with violence, along with a misdemeanor stalking charge. A separate charge of aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer was ultimately dropped.
The charges stem from an alleged confrontation on Feb. 7, when authorities say Pearce repeatedly rammed his vehicle into Jackson’s car as she attempted to drive to a police station in the Miami area.
Police documents state that Jackson was heading toward the Doral Police Department when Pearce allegedly followed her and used his vehicle to strike hers multiple times. When officers attempted to stop him, Pearce allegedly fled the scene, sparking a brief chase before crashing at an intersection.
However, authorities say he then attempted to flee on foot before being subdued and taken into custody. Pearce was released from jail the following day after posting $20,500 bond.
In the days after the incident, Jackson, a forward for the Los Angeles Sparks, filed for a protection order, stating in court documents that she feared for her life.
“Due to his obsessive, insecure, violent and aggressive behavior, ending the relationship has been difficult and I am afraid for my life,” Jackson wrote in her petition. She also alleged that Pearce had previously threatened to harm or kill her and described a pattern of verbal and physical abuse during their relationship.
The court granted a temporary protective injunction, ordering Pearce to stay at least 500 feet away from Jackson’s home and workplace and 100 feet away from her vehicle. He is also prohibited from contacting her in any form. A hearing to determine whether the order will become permanent is scheduled for April 21.
Jackson and Pearce reportedly dated for three years after meeting while both were student-athletes at the University of Tennessee before ending their relationship shortly before the alleged incident.
Pearce, 22, was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the No. 26 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and quickly emerged as one of the league’s most promising young defenders. He led all rookies last season with 10.5 sacks.
Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham addressed the situation briefly during a media availability on Friday.
“Obviously we’re aware of the most recent reports regarding James Pearce,” Cunningham said. “Those are concerning, to say the least. But we’re not going to comment on an open legal matter moving forward.”
The NFL has also acknowledged the situation and is monitoring developments under its personal conduct policy.
Pearce’s attorneys have not publicly commented on the charges, though they previously indicated he maintains his innocence as the legal process moves forward.