The Kansas City Chiefs will reportedly likely have wide receiver Rashee Rice available for the first four games of the 2025 regular season.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday that Rice’s disciplinary hearing with the NFL regarding his 2024 multi-car crash in Dallas is expected to happen on Sept. 30. With no official punishment set to be decided until after the hearing, the receiver will likely be able to take the field for Kansas City’s first four games on the schedule that happen before that date.
Last month, David Close of CNN reported the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office sentenced Rice to five years probation and 30 days of jail time after he pleaded guilty to the third-degree felony charges of collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury.
However, Schefter reported the case would also be dismissed if Rice successfully completes his probation since he received deferred adjudication.
Close noted Dallas Police said Rice was driving at more than 119 mph when he lost control of his car and hit a median wall, which triggered a chain reaction collision of six total vehicles. The DA also said he fled the scene and “failed to check on the welfare of the victims.”
Following last month’s ruling, Rice released a statement through his attorney, Royce West, that said he was “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 statement came after he posted a message on social media in April 2024 that said, “I take full responsibility for my part in this matter and will continue to cooperate with the necessary authorities. I sincerely apologize to everyone impacted in Saturday’s accident.”
Close cited the DA that said Rice paid restitution to the victims for “out-of-pocket medical expenses” following the crash.
The NFL did not suspend Rice during the 2024 campaign as the legal situation was still pending, although a knee injury limited him to four games and prevented him from building on a rookie season that saw him tally 79 catches for 938 yards and seven touchdowns.
Kansas City also won the Super Bowl in his first year in the league.
It remains to be seen how long he will be suspended during his third year, although all indications suggest he will be on the field for the Chiefs’ games against the Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens.
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