News

WNBA Player Rickea Jackson Tells Court She Fears For Life After Assault By Falcons’ Star James Pearce Jr.

WNBA player Rickea Jackson has filed a motion for a protective order against her ex-boyfriend, NFL star James Pearce Jr. 

On Feb. 7, police reports said that Pearce Jr. followed Jackson with his car. He allegedly tried to open her car door at a red light and rammed his car into hers when she tried to enter the Doral Police Department. Jackson told the court that she is in fear of her life and that she believes Pearce Jr. will kill her if the courts don’t intervene. 

Pearce Jr. was arrested the day the alleged domestic violence happened. Officers attempted to arrest Pearce Jr. on-site, but he got into his vehicle and escaped. Pearce Jr.’s SUV ran over the knee of a police officer. As he was trying to escape, Pearce Jr. was involved in an accident at an intersection. Officers again attempted to arrest Pearce Jr., but he resisted arrest further. Police did eventually arrest him after the accident.

>SLIDESHOW: 50 MOST-INFAMOUS ATHLETE MUGSHOTS & THE STORIES BEHIND THEM!

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

Pearce Jr. is charged with domestic violence and stalking against Jackson. He is also charged with felony aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, felony fleeing, and resisting an officer without violence to his person during the police encounter. 

On Feb. 14, Jackson announced that she was willing to testify in the case against Pearce Jr. 

Jackson and Pearce Jr. had dated for three years until about April 2025. They met while playing for Tennessee. Pearce Jr. plays for the Atlanta Falcons while Jackson plays for the Los Angeles Sparks. The Falcons said they were gathering more information before making a statement.

Pearce Jr. maintains his innocence. His legal team said that the allegations do not tell the complete story. Pearce Jr. has been released on a $20,500 bond. 

There is no scheduled trial date for Pearce Jr. Trial bonds generally do not include restrictions on movement, which prompted Jackson to file for the protective order. 

Matthew Mendives

Recent Posts

8-Time Pro Bowling Champion Jakob Butturff, Known As ‘Butters,’ Dies Unexpectedly At 32

Jakob Butturff, an eight-time Professional Bowlers Association Tour champion who called Arizona home, died unexpectedly…

24 hours ago

After Being Shot In the Chest For His Rolex, 49ers’ Ricky Pearsall Faces Season-Ending Injury

The San Francisco 49ers have confirmed that wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will undergo season-ending surgery…

24 hours ago

Dillon Brooks Wants To Box Nemesis Jimmy Butler: ‘I Always Feel The Animosity’

Dillon Brooks has never been shy about the rivals he's made around the NBA, but…

24 hours ago

Chargers Legend Billy Ray Smith Jr. Dies At 64 After Battle With CTE-Related Dementia

Billy Ray Smith Jr., the College Football Hall of Fame linebacker who became one of…

3 days ago

Taysom Hill’s Saints Era Ends After Nine Seasons

Taysom Hill's nine-year run in the New Orleans Saints is over. The versatile utility man…

3 days ago

WNBA Deletes Its Own Post Showing Paige Bueckers & Angel Reese Making Illegal Bet On Their Game

The WNBA found itself in an awkward spot Wednesday night after posting — and then…

3 days ago