Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. was taken into custody in Miami, Florida following a vehicle pursuit that ended in a crash on Saturday.
Police responded to an altercation involving Pearce, 22, and his girlfriend Rickea Jackson, 24, who plays for the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA.
Pearce allegedly pursued Jackson and rammed her car with his Lamborghini. He then led police on a brief chase that ended in a crash at NW 103rd Avenue and 66th Street.
Police arrested Pearce and charged him with 2 counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon (his car), along with aggravated stalking and eluding law enforcement.
He remains at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center awaiting a bond hearing.
? Falcons DE James Pearce Jr arrested, following a police chase in Florida.
He drove Lamborghini into his ex-girlfriend’s car.
She’s WNBA Los Angeles Sparks star Rickea Jackson
Praying for her safety! pic.twitter.com/xB0gyejGoy
— MAGA SPIRITS ? (@Meta_BTC_) February 8, 2026
It took 7 police officers to stop James Pearce Jr., no wonder he had 10.5 sacks as a rookie pic.twitter.com/BcCal3XfdW
— GhettoGronk (@GhettoGronk) February 8, 2026
The Falcons issued a statement on Saturday, saying, “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.”
Jackson was not injured in the pursuit. The 6-2 former Tennessee standout was the No. 4 pick by the Sparks in the 2024 WNBA Draft. She averaged 14.7 points per game with the Sparks in 2025.
Jackson is in Miami playing for the Breeze BC of the Unrivaled 3×3 women’s basketball league during the off-season.
Putting hands on Rickea Jackson is simply crazy. We gotta jump blood when he get out pic.twitter.com/fxH6Q7cJaX
— K E V I N ????? (@KevChestnut) February 8, 2026
