By MATT PIKE
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has been sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years probation for his role in a multi car crash during the 2024 offseason.
According to a release from the Dallas County District Attorney's office, Rice pleaded guilty in district court to two third-degree felony charges, collision involving serious bodily injury, and racing on a highway causing bodily injury. A Dallas district court judge ruled that Rice can serve the jail time at any point during the five-year probationary period. Rice received deferred adjudication, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter, so the case will be dismissed if he completes the probation.
The NFL now can expedite its disciplinary process of Rice, who is likely to receive a multigame suspension at some point during the upcoming 2025 season. Chiefs Insider Matt Derrick reports that the Chiefs are bracing for a suspension of two to four games, but also say that could be optimistic.
"We have been closely monitoring all developments in the matter which remains under review," NFL vice president of communications Brian McCarthy told Schefter.
Rice, in a statement released Thursday by his attorney, said he is "profoundly sorry for the physical damages to person and property."
"Last March, I was involved in a high-speed accident in Dallas," Rice said in his statement. "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.
"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 and the Chiefs report to St. Joseph for Training Camp on Sunday, ahead of the first practice on Tuesday at the Mosaic Practice Fields on the Campus of Missouri Western State University.