NFL star James Pearce Jr. has been arrested and charged with battery after an alleged domestic dispute with WNBA player Rickea Jackson.
The Atlanta Falcon rookie linebacker was cuffed by cops on Saturday in Florida following a police chase that ended with Pearce Jr. crashing his vehicle.
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James Pearce Jr. was arrested in Miami Dade County on SaturdayCredit: Getty
The NFL star linebacker has been charged with aggravated battery and stalking as well as evading policeCredit: WPLG
He has been charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and one count aggravated stalking as well as fleeing police, aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer without violence to his person.
Pearce Jr., 22, and Jackson, a forward for the Los Angeles Sparks, briefly dated last summer but the 24-year-old confirmed their split in September 2025.
The linebacker was booked in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center around 7pm on Sunday after Doral police were called about an alleged domestic incident between a man and a woman.
The football player fled from officers and ended up crashing his car where he was then arrested, Police Chief Edwin Lopez told WPLG TV.
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“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,” the Falcons said in a statement.
No bond was set for Pearce Jr. at the time of his arrest.
He was selected with the 26th pick in the 2025 draft and came third in AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year with 10.5 sacks in this latest season, per ESPN.
Meanwhile, Jackson was drafted by the Sparks with No. 4 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft with an average of 14.7 points in 38 games this season.
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No comment has been issued by the basketball player or her representatives following Pearce Jr’s arrest.
The alleged domestic dispute involved Rickea Jackson (right) who is a star forward for the LA SparksCredit: Getty
Jackson and Pearce Jr. briefly dated last summer before she confirmed their split in September 2025Credit: https://www.instagram.com/rickea/?hl=en