Atlanta Falcons rookie defensive end James Pearce Jr has been arrested near Miami on charges including two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking and fleeing or eluding police with lights or siren, after he allegedly fled officers and crashed his car following a domestic dispute with WNBA player Rickea Jackson.
Police in Doral were summoned to investigate the reported dispute on Saturday night. Pearce was booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, with bond not immediately set. Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez confirmed the dispute involved Pearce and Jackson, a forward for the Los Angeles Sparks.
Jackson was the No 4 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft and averaged 14.7 points in 38 games, including 37 starts, in the 2025 season. She previously played for Tennessee and Mississippi State.
The Falcons said in a statement: "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."
Pearce, the 26th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, led the Falcons with 10.5 sacks and set a team rookie record with 45 quarterback pressures. He added 26 tackles, 16 quarterback hits, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 17 games, and finished third in NFL defensive rookie of the year voting.
The arrest adds to a difficult off-season for the Falcons, who finished 8-9 and subsequently dismissed head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot. Kevin Stefanski has been appointed as head coach and Ian Cunningham as general manager.
