Kansas City Chiefs Acknowledge Domestic Violence Claims Involving Wide Receiver Rashee Rice

The NFL franchise issued a statement on Wednesday evening indicating they have knowledge of claims of abuse made public in online accounts by a former girlfriend of player Rashee Rice and had been in communication with the league office.

The team did not mention Rice by name in their announcement and said they would have “nothing more to add at this time”.

Claims Shared on Instagram

Dacoda Nichole Jones, who likewise did not name the athlete directly, shared a set of images on social media that seemed to depict signs of physical abuse. Jones stated the individual in question was the parent of her kids, and it is known she has kids with Rice, whom the team drafted in the 2023 draft.

Police Reports Currently Not on File

No police reports were on file in the Kansas City suburb where the incident is said to have taken place.

Player's Recent Off-Field Troubles

Rice was absent for the initial part of this season following an NFL suspension for his role in instigating a multi-vehicle accident on a Texas roadway that left multiple people hurt. Rice was given a month of incarceration and five years’ probation after pleading guilty to serious offenses.

On the field, he concluded the season with 53 receptions for 571 yards and five touchdowns as the Chiefs finished 6-11 and failed to qualify for the postseason for the first occasion in a decade.