ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Falcons rookie star James Pearce Jr. was arrested in the vicinity of Miami on Saturday night after a police pursuit that resulted in a car crash. Officers responded to a domestic dispute involving Pearce and WNBA player Rickea Jackson, according to police reports.
Pearce, who was the first-round draft pick and made a significant impact during the 2025 NFL season, is currently facing multiple charges. These charges include two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, and fleeing or eluding police with lights or sirens. He was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, but bond details have not been disclosed at this time.
The Falcons organization released a statement acknowledging the incident, noting that they are in the process of gathering more information about the arrest. "We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr. in Miami," the statement read. "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 domestic dispute that led to Pearce's arrest involved Rickea Jackson, who plays as a forward for the Los Angeles Sparks. Jackson was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft and had an impressive 2025 season, averaging 14.7 points per game over 38 appearances, including 37 starts. Both athletes come from notable collegiate backgrounds, with Jackson having played for Tennessee and Mississippi State.
Pearce originally hails from Tennessee and was the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. He established himself as a key player for the Falcons, leading the team in sacks and finishing third in voting for the NFL defensive rookie of the year. Throughout the regular season, Pearce recorded 10.5 sacks, broke the team's record for rookie quarterback pressures with 45, and accumulated 26 tackles and 16 quarterback hits. He also forced and recovered a fumble while participating in all 17 games.
The Falcons concluded their season with a disappointing 8-9 record, which prompted significant organizational changes, including the dismissal of head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot. In their efforts to rejuvenate the team, the Falcons have hired Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach and Ian Cunningham as their general manager.
As more details surrounding the incident involving James Pearce Jr. and the subsequent legal matters emerge, the athletics community is closely monitoring the situation. Both fans and analysts are concerned about the ramifications of Pearce's arrest for both his burgeoning career and the future of the Falcons franchise.
