Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice said he stayed in touch with his NFL teammates during his 30-day jail sentence and cited his time served as a learning experience and reality check
Rashee Rice speaks during a press conference
Rashee Rice kept in contact with Chiefs teammates during his 30-day jail sentence
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NFL wide receiver Rashee Rice spent 30 days behind bars and was separated from his Kansas City Chiefs teammates, but they still made sure to keep in contact with the Super Bowl champion after underperforming around the board last season.
Rice said his Chiefs teammates and his trainer checked in while he served his sentence before the last year of his rookie deal. He's set to earn $1,635,711, while star running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson landed extensions with over $50 million guaranteed.
A judge sent Rice to Dallas County jail on May 19 after he tested positive for THC and broke probation from his 2024 high-speed crash that hurt four people and saw two injured individuals require hospitalization. Meanwhile, a fantasy expert is steering players away from drafting a three-time First-Time All-Pro and former NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
"It was a learning experience and a reality check," Rice said Tuesday during his first public comments since the incident. "Don't focus on the past. Focus on what's going on now. I'm doing [well] mentally."
Rice was served 30 days and released on June 16, which forced him to miss OTAs and mandatory minicamp while rehabbing his right knee. The knee required surgery one week before he entered jail.
A judge allowed Rice to receive treatment at Parkland Hospital, and he said he spent mornings stretching, lifting weights, jogging, and rebuilding his conditioning whenever possible.
Rashee Rice runs with the ball during the Kansas City Chiefs' training camp
Rice is on track to play in Week 1 after successful knee surgery
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"It was mentally tough. They gave me ways to communicate with my teammates still, as well as my athletic trainer," he continued.
Rice said he relied on the comedy of Hollywood star Kevin Hart to help him laugh at his own pain.
Rice’s legal trouble started in 2024 after he crashed a rented Lamborghini Urus at 119 MPH in Dallas. He pleaded guilty to two felonies and received 30 days in jail, five years of probation, and was ordered to pay $115,481.91 in restitution.
The NFL suspended him for the first six games of 2025. Rice was unable to practice with the team or participate in any team activities during his suspension period.
Travis Kelce wears a 'Free 4' shirt in support of Rashee Rice
Andy Reid was forced to address the t-shirt stance to the media(Image: Getty)
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Rice came back for eight games and caught 53 passes for 571 yards and five touchdowns. Travis Kelce and other Chiefs wore 'Free-4' shirts with Rice’s number before a 2025 game against the Eagles before his return.
The show of support came as Kelce proposed to now wife Taylor Swift. The Chiefs' tight end addressed Rice's absence last season while away from the team.
"I think it's going to create that much more love and that much more fight out of him. I think he's got a lot to prove still in this league," he said. "I can't wait to get that guy back in the building."