Falcons Rookie James Pearce Jr. Released on Bond Following Arrest in Miami
Atlanta Falcons rookie linebacker James Pearce Jr. is out on bond following a weekend arrest in Miami that has cast a shadow over what had been a promising start to his NFL career.
Pearce, 22, faces serious charges including two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, and fleeing and eluding police after a domestic incident involving WNBA player Rickea Jackson. The situation escalated into a police chase that ended in a crash.
Footage that surfaced on social media shows a chaotic scene with six officers restraining Pearce on the ground following the crash. The incident reportedly took place at Northwest 103rd Avenue and 66th Street in Doral, Florida.
He was taken into custody at the scene and booked at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center at 6:58 p.m. EST on Saturday.
On Sunday, Pearce appeared before a judge who set his bond at $20,500. His defense team pushed for leniency, noting his status as an NFL player who resides in Georgia, but the judge made it clear that employment status would not factor into the court’s decision.
“It doesn't matter what his employment is,” the judge stated in court. “I have an individual charged with a crime.”
In addition to the bond, the judge issued a no-contact order, requiring Pearce to stay away from Jackson. His attorneys confirmed he intends to comply.
According to local reports, the police were initially called to the scene after receiving a report of a dispute between a man and a woman. Pearce allegedly fled when officers arrived, leading to the pursuit and eventual crash. Video from the aftermath shows Pearce being pinned to the ground, handcuffed, and placed in the back of a police vehicle.
Jackson, who currently plays for the Breeze in the Unrivaled league based in Miami, was confirmed by Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez as the other party involved in the incident. While details of the dispute remain limited, the situation has drawn significant attention given the high-profile nature of both individuals.
The Atlanta Falcons released a brief statement acknowledging the arrest: “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’s arrest comes just days after he finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting-a testament to the impact he made in his first season. Drafted 26th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Tennessee, Pearce quickly became a key piece of Atlanta’s defense. He notched 17 solo tackles and 10.5 sacks in his rookie campaign, showcasing the burst and edge presence that made him a first-round target.
Atlanta traded up to land him in the draft, a move that looked savvy as Pearce delivered on his potential. But now, his future is uncertain. Legal proceedings will play out in the coming weeks, and the Falcons-as well as the league-will be watching closely.
Pearce and Jackson both attended the University of Tennessee, and while the timeline of their relationship is unclear, they were seen together publicly at the NFL Draft last year.
This is a developing story, and while Pearce’s on-field trajectory had him on a star path, the off-field events of this past weekend have cast a long shadow over what comes next.