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In a statement<\/a> released Friday, the NFL said it had closed its inquiry after finding \u201cinsufficient evidence to support a finding that he violated the personal conduct policy.\u201d<\/p>\n “Mr. Rice wants to thank the NFL for their thorough investigation, and looks forward to the start of the 2026-27 NFL season,” Rice’s attorney, Sean Lindsey, said in a statement to The Associated Press<\/a> and ESPN<\/a>. The Chiefs have not publicly commented on the NFL’s decision.<\/p>\n The investigation began in February after Rice\u2019s former girlfriend, Dacoda Jones<\/a>, alleged in a lawsuit that he had physically assaulted her multiple times over the course of their relationship, resulting in injuries including bleeding and bruising.<\/p>\n Dacoda Jones attends Women of the NFL and Nordstrom Host Super Bowl Happy Hour in Las Vegas on February 10, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada According to court documents previously reviewed by PEOPLE<\/a>, Jones filed her lawsuit in Dallas County District Court on Feb. 16, alleging that she was \u201cphysically assaulted\u201d by Rice at residences in Texas and Missouri between December 2023 and July 2025.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The lawsuit describes what Jones characterized as \u201can escalation in violent behavior,\u201d alleging repeated incidents over that time period. She claimed Rice \u201cgrabbed, choked, strangled, pushed, thrown, scratched, hit, and headbutted\u201d her, along with other alleged acts including throwing objects, destroying property and locking her out of the home.<\/p>\n The petition further alleges that some of the incidents occurred while she was pregnant and resulted in injuries, including \u201cbleeding, swelling, bruising and other pain and physical injury\u201d to multiple parts of her body. Jones is seeking at least $1 million in damages.<\/p>\n Rice was served notice of the lawsuit on Feb. 18, according to court records.<\/p>\n In response to the lawsuit, Lindsey told ESPN<\/a> in February, “On October 9th, 2025, well after the parties’ relationship had ended, Ms. Jones stated under penalty of perjury in a sworn Affidavit for Non-Prosecution that ‘Mr. Rice and I had a verbal argument, but he did not punch me.’ We will allow the legal process to run its course and have no further comment at this time.”<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The two were previously in a long-term relationship and share two children together.<\/p>\n Before filing the lawsuit<\/a>, Jones published since-deleted images of bruises and wounds on her body in January, alleging that she was abused. She did not name her alleged abuser in the post.<\/p>\n Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter<\/a> to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer\u200b\u200b, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.<\/p>\n Rashee Rice #4 of the Kansas City Chiefs poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere The NFL\u2019s decision comes after Rice previously served a six-game suspension tied to his role in a high-speed crash<\/a> on a Dallas highway during the 2024 offseason, which left multiple people injured.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n He later pleaded guilty to third-degree felony charges and was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years of probation.<\/p>\n If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org<\/a>. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24\/7 in more than 170 languages.<\/p>\n![\"Dacoda](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0c15bed9152546c4d8a4dd9b09e83d17.jpeg\"\/)
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Credit: Arnold Turner\/Getty<\/p>\n![\"Rashee](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/59147e6a238a1ffc50c5122917c960f2.jpeg\"\/)
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Credit: Michael Owens\/Getty<\/p>\n