MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FL — The Atlanta Falcons’ James Pearce Jr. faces several charges after he fled officers and crashed his car in the Miami area following a domestic dispute with the Los Angeles Sparks’ Rickea Jackson, according to police and media reports.
Pearce, 22, was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday on charges of two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and one count each of aggravated stalking, fleeing police with lights and siren, aggravated battery to an officer, and resisting an officer, jail records showed.
Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez told WPLG that officers had responded to a dispute between two people at police headquarters and Pearce had fled, later crashing his vehicle. Jackson was the other person involved in the dispute, Lopez told the outlet.
“We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr. in Miami,” the Falcons said in a statement provided to The Associated Press. “We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time.”
Pearce, an edge rusher from Tennessee, was the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft as the Falcons emphasized the pass rush. Pearce had 10 1/2 sacks and his 45 quarterback pressures set a team record for a rookie. Pearce had 26 tackles and 16 quarterback hits. He forced a fumble and recovered a fumble while playing in all 17 games.
Jackson was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft and averaged 14.7 points in 38 games, including 37 starts, in the 2025 season. Jackson played for Tennessee and Mississippi State.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.