The National Football League (NFL) has launched a formal review into serious domestic violence allegations made against Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver, Rashee Rice.
Ex-Partner Accuses Rice of Years of Abuse
The investigation follows a series of public Instagram posts by Rice's former partner, Dacoda Jones, on Wednesday, January 7. Jones, who shares two children with the NFL star, accused him of subjecting her to abuse throughout their eight-year relationship.
In her detailed allegations, Jones claimed the mistreatment occurred even during her pregnancies. One particularly severe accusation involved her being locked out of her home in freezing cold weather. To support her claims, Jones published photographs that showed visible bruising, other apparent injuries, and damage to property, all of which she directly linked to the alleged abuse.
While Jones did not mention Rashee Rice by name in the posts, the identity of the accused was strongly implied. The situation gained further attention when Rice's own grandmother entered the comments section of the posts to defend her grandson against the allegations.
NFL and Chiefs Respond to Allegations
The NFL confirmed on Thursday that it is examining the situation under its personal conduct policy. In an official statement, the league said, "We have been in contact with the club about the matter which will be reviewed under the league’s personal conduct policy." This standard procedure is activated whenever off-field conduct by a player comes under scrutiny.
The Kansas City Chiefs organization also broke its silence on the matter. On Wednesday night, the team released a brief statement acknowledging they were "aware" of the allegations against Rice. The team has not provided further comment, likely pending the outcome of the league's investigation.
Legal Representation and Next Steps
Earlier in the week, Rashee Rice's attorney spoke to TMZ Sports about the allegations. The lawyer stated that his client has not been charged with any crime before promptly ending the phone call. This is a common legal stance taken before formal charges are filed by authorities.
The NFL's personal conduct policy investigation operates independently of any criminal legal proceedings. The league can impose disciplinary measures, including suspensions and fines, based on its own findings, regardless of whether criminal charges are ever filed. The sports world now awaits the conclusion of this review, which could have significant implications for Rice's career with the reigning Super Bowl champions.
