The Kansas City Chiefs will be without Rashee Rice for at least 30 days at some point. Rice must serve out a jail sentence stemming from his multi-car crash in Dallas, Texas, in 2024. Rice issued a statement in the aftermath of the ruling, which also includes a five-year probation.
Chiefs WR Rashee Rice Breaks Silence After Receiving Jail Sentence
Chiefs Will Be Without Rashee Rice at Some Point
He showed contrition in his first comments on the matter since it occurred.
“Last March, I was involved in a high-speed accident in Dallas. 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. I urge everyone to mind the speed limit, drive safe and drive smart,” Rice said in the statement on July 17 via attorney Royce West.
“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.”
Rice pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony charges against him.
#Chiefs WR Rashee Rice has pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony charges and has received his sentence as part of a negotiated deal. The full release: pic.twitter.com/3cDl9fbvA1
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 17, 2025
“I take full responsibility for my part in this matter and will continue to cooperate with the necessary authorities,” Rice said last year. “I sincerely apologize to everyone impacted.”
Rice is one of two individuals charged in the crash, which has resulted in three lawsuits filed by the victims. Per CBS News’ Julia Falcon on July 17, it is unclear when Rice plans to turn himself in to authorities to begin his jail sentence. His jail time will run concurrently with his probation.
Rice faces additional discipline from the NFL, which typically waits for the legal process.
“ESPN sources: A Dallas County judge just sentenced Chiefs WR Rashee Rice to five years probation and 30 days of jail time that can be served during those five years stemming [from] his role in a multi-car crash in Dallas during the 2024 offseason,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on X on July 17.
“Now that the judge has ruled, the NFL can expedite its disciplinary process and Rice is likely to receive a multi-game suspension.”
Rice was also the subject of an ongoing investigation into an assault in Dallas. However, the injured party filed an affidavit requesting police not to charge the Chiefs’ wideout, per ESPN’s Adam Teicher in May.
Rashee Rice Gets Good News Amid Jail, Probation Sentence
Patrick Mahomes, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy
Sep 15, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) celebrates after scoring against the Cincinnati Bengals during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
“Theodore ‘Teddy’ Knox, who was a student-athlete on Southern Methodist University’s football team, was driving a Corvette and Rice was in a Lamborghini on March 30, 2024,” CBS News wrote. “Both were speeding in the far-left lane of North Central Expressway near University Boulevard when the Lamborghini hit the center median wall, officials said, which caused four other vehicles to collide with each other.
“Rice’s arrest affidavit, obtained by CBS News Texas, stated he was driving at a rate of 119 mph before crashing. Knox was driving at a rate of 91 mph prior to the crash. The posted speed limit on US 75 is 70 mph.”
This will cost Rice financially, too.
Kansas City may also push for signing bonus payback from Rashee Rice, which would come at a $23,941 per week loss.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) July 17, 2025
There is somewhat of a silver lining in all of this for Rice.
“Rashee Rice also received deferred adjudication,” Schefter reported in a follow-up post. “If he completes his probation successfully, the case will be dismissed.”
Rice was the No. 55 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. He missed all but four games in 2024 with a torn ACL. He was set to be part of a loaded Chiefs wide receiver room that includes 2023 second-round pick Xavier Worthy.
The Chiefs have navigated Rice’s absence before
They should be okay as long as Patrick Mahomes is under center and Andy Reid is their head coach. However, they cannot ignore the string of incidents around Rice. More importantly, the Chiefs must gauge how that impacts the overall goals of the team. Training camp opens on July 21.
Main Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images