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.

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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.