Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has been sentenced to five years’ probation and 30 days of jail time stemming from a Dallas car crash during the 2024 offseason, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday.
Now that a ruling has been made, the NFL can accelerate its disciplinary process and, according to Schefter, Rice is expected to be handed a multi-game suspension this season.
“We have been closely monitoring all developments in the matter, which remains under review,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told Schefter.
The car crash, which involved several vehicles, occurred in March 2024. Driving a Lamborghini Urus, Rice reached 119 mph 4.5 seconds before the collision, according to an affidavit obtained by the Dallas Morning News. At least seven people were injured in the crash, according to the affidavit.
“There have been a lot of sleepless nights thinking about the damages that my actions caused, and I will continue working within my means to make sure that everyone impacted will be made whole,” Rice’s lawyer, Royce West, said in a statement on his client’s behalf. “I urge everyone to mind the speed limit, drive safe and drive smart.
“Last and certainly not least, I am profoundly sorry for the physical damages to person and property. I fully apologize for the harm I caused to innocent drivers and their families.”
The 25-year-old Rice is entering his third NFL season after being taken in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Chiefs. He played in just four games in 2024 after suffering a season-ending LCL injury.
Rice had an impressive rookie season in 2023, hauling in 79 passes for 938 yards and seven touchdowns as the Chiefs rolled to the Super Bowl title.
That year, he was Patrick Mahomes’ second-favorite target behind Travis Kelce, and he stepped in to fill the void left by Tyreek Hill, who Kansas City traded to the Dolphins after the 2022 season.
Rice was poised to be atop the depth chart at wide receiver to start the upcoming campaign, but his likely suspension shifts extra responsibility to second-year wideout Xavier Worthy and veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster.
With Mahomes at the helm, the Chiefs have the fourth-best betting odds to win Super Bowl LX, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
