Atlanta Falcons rookie James Pearce Jr. has been arrested following an alleged domestic dispute with WNBA star Rickea Jackson.
According to police reports, the 23-year-old Atlanta Falcons edge rusher was arrested Saturday in South Florida. Authorities charged Pearce with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, and fleeing and eluding police. The incident stemmed from a domestic dispute involving his girlfriend, WNBA standout Rickea Jackson.
Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez confirmed that Pearce allegedly fled the scene before police could intervene. Shortly after, officers say he crashed at Northwest 103rd Avenue and 66th Street. Law enforcement then placed him in handcuffs without further incident.
Pearce was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami-Dade County. As of now, his bond has not been set. The case remains active, and officials have not released additional details surrounding the alleged events.
Situations like this hit harder when both names involved are high-profile athletes. One represents the NFL on Sundays. The other represents the WNBA and a growing generation of women’s basketball stars. And because of that, the spotlight is unavoidable.
Falcons Respond as Legal Process Unfolds
Shortly after the arrest made headlines, the Atlanta Falcons released a brief statement addressing the situation. The organization kept it measured and cautious, as teams often do when legal matters are still unfolding.
“We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr. in Miami,” the Falcons said in a statement. “We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time.”
That response leaves a lot unsaid. Still, it signals that the organization understands the seriousness of the allegations. Right now, everything sits in the hands of the legal system, not the franchise.
Pearce’s arrest also raises bigger conversations around accountability, especially for young athletes who rise fast and carry enormous visibility. When things go left, the fall feels louder. And in cases involving alleged violence and stalking, silence can feel heavy for fans watching from the outside.