KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice pleaded guilty Thursday to two third-degree felony charges stemming from a high-speed car crash in Dallas in March 2024, receiving five years of deferred probation and 30 days in jail.
The plea agreement also required Rice to pay restitution to all victims of the accident for their out-of-pocket medical expenses, totaling $115,481.91. Rice will be subject to probation requirements for five years and must serve his 30-day jail sentence during that time. Rice’s attorney, Royce West, told Fox 4 Dallas that Rice was not required to serve all 30 days at once. Rice has also already made his restitution payment.
The deferred probation sentence allows Rice to plead guilty to the charges without a conviction being recorded. If Rice completes his probation, jail sentence and other requirements, there will not be a felony conviction on his record. If Rice violates his probation, he can fall back under the court’s jurisdiction.
West also issued a statement on his client’s behalf:
Last March, I was involved in a high-speed accident in Dallas. There have beena lot of sleepless nights thinking about the damages that my actions caused, and I will continue working within my means to make sure that everyone impacted will be made whole. I urge everyone to mind the speed limit, drive safe and drive smart.
Last and certainly not least, I am profoundly sorry for the physical damages to person and property. I fully apologize for the harm I caused to innocent drivers and their families.”
In a statement announcing the plea agreement, Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot commended Rice for warning others about the dangers of street racing.
“When someone with Mr. Rice’s public platform chooses to drive so recklessly, there is a responsibility to acknowledge the danger posed to others and take accountability,” Creuzot said. “A vehicle in the wrong hands can be as dangerous as any weapon. We are extremely fortunate that no lives were lost that day, and Mr. Rice is fortunate to have walked away unharmed. We hope he takes this as an opportunity to mature and leads by example moving forward. I wish him the best in making safer choices.”
Rice was driving a 2020 Lamorghini Urus SUV on March 30, 2024, when he made “multiple aggressive maneuvers around traffic, driving 119 miles per hour just 4.5 seconds prior to the first impact, ultimately taking faulty evasion action, and striking other vehicles.” Rice failed to check on the victims of the collision and fled the scene on foot.
Rice initially faced eight charges stemming from the accident, including six counts of collision involving bodily injury, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury, and one count of aggravated assault. The six counts of collision with bodily injury carried a maximum sentence of not more than five years, a fine up to $5,000, or both. The count involving serious bodily injury carried a minimum of two years in prison if convicted, but no more than 10 years. The aggravated assault charge for a conviction carried a sentence of between two to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
Suspension Looming
With the criminal case against Rice resolved, the focus now turns to the NFL and a potential suspension from the league and Commissioner Roger Goodell.
“We have been closely monitoring all developments in the matter which remains under review,” said Brian McCarthy, the NFL’s vice president of communication in a statement.
The NFL Personal Conduct Policy has two provisions that would likely apply to Rice’s situation. The policy specifically prohibits conduct that “poses a genuine danger to the safety and well-being of another person” as well as “conduct that undermines or puts at risk the integrity of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL personnel.”
Discipline can involve a fine, suspension, community service, or a combination of all three.
A player is subject to discipline upon the completion of a criminal investigation. While there is a baseline six-game suspension for assault, battery, domestic violence, or sexual assault, with more severe punishments for aggravating factors, there’s no minimum penalty for other violations of the policy.
The Chiefs are optimistic Rice may only receive a two-to-four game suspension, club sources have told Chiefs Digest. This crash is considered a first-time violation, and while bodily harm was involved, there are no allegations of aggravating factors such as driving under the influence. Rice has also shown remorse for his actions and taken responsibility, which was noted by the prosecutor in the case.
Once the commissioner hands down a disciplinary decision, Rice has an opportunity to appeal. The NFL would then hold a panel hearing involving three outside experts who would make a recommendation to the commissioner for his final decision.
There is typically a 60-90-day process from the conclusion of a criminal case to the imposition of discipline. That process can be accelerated if the player chooses not to appeal the commissioner’s ruling.
Any suspension handed down to Rice would not keep him from participating in training camp for the Chiefs. A suspension would only take place during the regular season.
