Falcons Rookie James Pearce Jr. Arrested in Florida on Multiple Felony Charges
Just days after capping off a standout rookie campaign with the Atlanta Falcons, edge rusher James Pearce Jr. is now facing serious legal trouble following an incident in Florida over the weekend.
According to reports, Pearce was arrested Saturday and is facing five felony charges stemming from a chaotic series of events that allegedly included a car crash involving WNBA player and former Tennessee Lady Vol Rickea Jackson, as well as contact with a police officer during an attempted escape.
Authorities say Pearce struck Jackson’s vehicle multiple times before also hitting a law enforcement officer with his car while trying to evade arrest. The 21-year-old was taken into custody and later released from the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on Sunday night after posting a $20,500 bond.
The felony charges Pearce now faces include two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, one count of aggravated stalking, and additional charges for fleeing and eluding police and aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer. He’s also been hit with a misdemeanor for resisting an officer without violence.
The Falcons issued a brief statement Saturday night, acknowledging the situation but withholding further comment while the legal process plays out.
“We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr., in Miami,” the team said. “We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time.”
The timing of the arrest is particularly jarring, coming on the heels of what had been a promising start to Pearce’s NFL career. The former Tennessee Volunteer finished third in AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting and set a new Falcons rookie record with 10.5 sacks on the season - a performance that had Atlanta fans excited about the future of their pass rush.
Now, that future is uncertain.
Pearce’s arrest adds a serious off-field concern to what had been a breakout year on it. While the legal process will determine the outcome of the charges, the incident puts both his standing with the Falcons and his NFL trajectory in question.
The Falcons, like the rest of the league, will be watching closely as more details emerge. For now, Pearce’s remarkable rookie season is overshadowed by a troubling turn of events that could have long-term implications - both for him and for a Falcons defense that had been counting on his continued rise.