Falcons Rookie James Pearce Jr. Released on Bond Following Arrest in Miami
Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr., fresh off an impressive rookie season, is now facing serious legal trouble after being arrested in Miami over the weekend. The 22-year-old was granted bond on Sunday following a string of charges stemming from a domestic dispute involving WNBA player Rickea Jackson.
According to police reports, Pearce is facing multiple felony charges, including two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, and fleeing and eluding law enforcement. The incident unfolded Saturday in Doral, a city just outside of Miami, and ended with Pearce crashing his vehicle after an alleged attempt to evade police.
The situation escalated quickly. Officers initially responded to reports of a dispute between a man and a woman-later confirmed to be Pearce and Jackson.
When police arrived on the scene, Pearce reportedly fled, leading to a chase that ended in a collision at Northwest 103rd Avenue and 66th Street. Video circulating on social media shows six officers wrestling Pearce to the ground before handcuffing him and placing him in the back of a police cruiser.
Pearce was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center at 6:58 p.m. on Saturday. He remained in custody overnight before appearing in court the following day.
A judge set his bond at $20,500 and issued a no-contact order, requiring Pearce to stay away from Jackson. His legal team argued for leniency, citing his NFL status and residence in Georgia, but the judge made it clear that employment status would not influence the court’s decision.
“It doesn’t matter what his employment is,” the judge stated. “I have an individual charged with a crime.”
Jackson, who currently plays for the Breeze in the Miami-based Unrivaled league, was identified as the other party involved in the dispute. While the nature of the altercation has not been detailed publicly, the charges against Pearce suggest a serious escalation.
The Falcons released a brief statement acknowledging the incident: “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 capped off a standout rookie campaign by finishing third in the voting for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Drafted 26th overall by Atlanta in 2025 out of Tennessee, Pearce quickly made his presence felt. He recorded 17 solo tackles and 10.5 sacks in his first season, validating the Falcons’ decision to trade up for him.
The linebacker’s on-field impact was significant-he brought speed, power, and relentless energy off the edge, becoming a key piece of Atlanta’s defensive front. But now, his future in the NFL is clouded by legal uncertainty.
Pearce and Jackson both attended the University of Tennessee and had been seen publicly together as recently as the NFL Draft. While the timeline of their relationship remains unclear, their connection traces back to their college days in Knoxville.
As the legal process unfolds, all eyes will be on how the Falcons and the NFL respond. For now, Pearce is out on bond, but the implications of this arrest could stretch well beyond the courtroom.