Falcons' James Pearce Jr. accused of attacking WNBA star Rickea Jackson in Miami-Dade

NFL linebacker arrested after fleeing domestic dispute and crashing vehicle during police chase

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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NFL star linebacker James Pearce Jr. was arrested on Saturday after fleeing a domestic dispute with WNBA player Rickea Jackson and crashing his vehicle during a police chase in Doral, Florida. Pearce is facing multiple charges including aggravated battery, aggravated stalking, and fleeing police.

Why it matters

This incident raises concerns about domestic violence in professional sports and the accountability of high-profile athletes. It also highlights the potential dangers of police chases and the need for better protocols to de-escalate such situations.

The details

According to Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez, officers were initially dispatched to DPD headquarters for a reported dispute between Pearce and Jackson. Pearce, 22, then fled the scene and later crashed his vehicle at Northwest 103rd Avenue and 66th Street before being arrested. Pearce is facing charges of two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and one count each of aggravated stalking and fleeing or eluding police with lights or siren.

  • On February 8, 2026, police responded to a reported dispute between Pearce and Jackson.
  • Pearce fled the scene and later crashed his vehicle during a police chase.

The players

James Pearce Jr.

A 22-year-old NFL linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons who was arrested for allegedly attacking WNBA player Rickea Jackson.

Rickea Jackson

A WNBA player who was involved in the reported domestic dispute with Pearce.

Edwin Lopez

The Doral Police Chief who confirmed the details of the incident to Local 10 News.

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What they’re saying

“We must take all allegations of domestic violence seriously and ensure that proper protocols are in place to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable.”

— Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez (Local 10 News)

What’s next

Pearce's bond has not yet been set, and the Falcons have released a statement regarding the incident. The police investigation is ongoing, and further details may be released in the coming days.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for professional sports leagues and teams to have robust policies and procedures in place to address domestic violence allegations involving their players. It also underscores the importance of community-based solutions to prevent and respond to such incidents.