Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. arrested in Florida after domestic dispute with Sparks star Rickea Jackson

Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker James Pearce Jr. was arrested on Feb. 7 in Doral, Florida, after police say he crashed his vehicle while fleeing officers following a domestic dispute involving WNBA player Rickea Jackson. As per WPLG Local 10 News, who cited Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez, Pearce, 22, was involved in a dispute at the Doral police headquarters. Lopez said Pearce fled the scene and was later involved in a vehicle crash before being taken into custody.

As per the outlet’s report, the woman involved in the incident was identified as Rickea Jackson, who currently plays for the Los Angeles Sparks.

According to an X post by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, citing a Miami-Dade police report, Pearce was arrested on multiple charges. These include two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon (domestic), aggravated stalking (domestic), fleeing and eluding police officers, aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, and resisting an officer without violence.


As per another X post, the Atlanta Falcons acknowledged the incident in a statement released on Feb. 7, saying: “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.”


Authorities have released limited details about the incident. However, a video circulating on social media purports to show law enforcement officers struggling to detain Pearce during the arrest.


James Pearce Jr. was selected 26th overall by the Falcons in the 2025 NFL Draft after playing college football at the University of Tennessee. He finished his rookie NFL season as the runner-up for Defensive Rookie of the Year, behind the Cleveland Browns’ Carson Schwesinger, after recording 10.5 sacks and a forced fumble for the 8–9 Falcons.