Atlanta Falcons rookie linebacker James Pearce Jr. was arrested on Saturday on several serious charges. He faces two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, and fleeing from police.
During the pursuit, Pearce Jr. crashed his vehicle. Just before that, authorities allege he intentionally collided with his girlfriend’s car, which had WNBA Los Angeles Sparks star Rickea Jackson inside, using his Lamborghini. This act was an attempt to prevent Jackson from reaching a police station following what seems to have been a domestic dispute between them.
Video from the arrest later emerged showing Pearce Jr. resisting, trying to escape before six police officers pinned him to the ground to finally restrain him. These serious allegations will undeniably alter Pearce Jr.’s life moving forward. The situation is particularly unsettling considering he was a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year and had recently received compliments about his character from his mother.
At the NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday, Pearce Jr.’s mother, Kizzy Morris, spoke highly of her son, stating that he has a big heart, treats loved ones well, and has the demeanor necessary for NFL success.
“I’m so proud of all my son has accomplished. I’m even prouder of the man he’s become,” she noted, adding,
“James has a big heart, deep love for family and friends, and true resilience in the face of doubt… Junior, you have so much success ahead of you. I love you, son.”
Talk about timing not being on his side.
The Falcons have recognized the situation and are collecting more details. Currently, they have opted not to comment on the ongoing case.
“We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr. in Miami,” the team stated. “We are in the process of gathering more information and will not make further comment on an open legal matter at this time.”
James Pearce Jr. and Rickea Jackson’s relationship dates back to their time at the University of Tennessee from 2022 to 2024. Jackson appeared to confirm their relationship during the 2025 draft, sitting next to him. However, reports indicate that their relationship deteriorated, resulting in their breakup.
After the split, Pearce Jr. may have tried to reconcile with her, and some social media influencers covering the story speculate that when he faced rejection, he snapped, culminating in the recent incident. This narrative is currently floating around, but the concern is that Pearce Jr. may have shown similar tendencies before.
Interestingly, he had a previous arrest in December 2023 after Knoxville, Tennessee, police stopped him for driving 63 mph in a 35 mph zone with expired tags. Charges included speeding, driving on a suspended license, and failing to show proof of insurance and registration; these were later dismissed after a court appearance.
