Legal challenges are impacting the Kansas City Chiefs’ wide receiver corps, with recent developments concerning both Rashee Rice and Justyn Ross. Rashee Rice, 25, has entered a plea agreement regarding felony charges stemming from a high-speed hit-and-run crash in Dallas. Meanwhile, Justyn Ross, 23, was arrested and subsequently charged with misdemeanor offenses following an initial felony booking in Johnson County, Kansas.
These incidents highlight a period of off-field scrutiny for the reigning Super Bowl champions. The team has acknowledged awareness of the arrests but has largely refrained from offering direct comments on the ongoing legal matters involving their players.
Rashee Rice pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony charges in Dallas County court on Thursday. These charges include a collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury, as confirmed by the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office.
As part of his plea deal, Rice received a sentence of five years of deferred probation and will serve 30 days in jail. He was also mandated to pay restitution to the victims for their out-of-pocket medical expenses, which totaled $115,481.91, according to the release from the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office.
The charges against Rice stemmed from a multi-vehicle car crash on March 30, 2024. Prosecutors stated that Rice was driving a 2020 Lamborghini Urus SUV at 119 mph just 4.5 seconds before the first impact on Central Expressway, making “multiple aggressive maneuvers around traffic” and colliding with other vehicles.
The collision resulted in a chain reaction affecting multiple vehicles, and prosecutors noted that Rice failed to check on the welfare of the victims and fled the scene on foot after the crash. Two involved drivers were treated for minor injuries at the scene, and two occupants from another vehicle were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
Rice’s attorney, Texas Sen. Royce West, indicated that the incident “scared Rice straight” during a news conference. West also mentioned that Rice is aware that someone could have been more severely hurt or even killed in the crash, and violating his probation could lead to a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
Regarding the jail time, West stated that Rice would likely serve his 30 days in the Dallas County Jail, and they would coordinate with the county to schedule this around Rice’s NFL commitments. The NFL has been closely monitoring the situation, stating, “We have been closely monitoring all developments in the matter, which remains under review.”
In a statement released through his attorney, Rice expressed deep remorse for his actions. He said, “Last March, I was involved in a high-speed accident in Dallas. There have been a lot of sleepless nights thinking about the damage that my actions caused, and I will continue working within my means to make sure that everyone impacted will be made whole.”
Rice further added, “I urge everyone to mind the speed limit, drive safely, and drive smart. Last and certainly not least, I am profoundly sorry for the physical damage to person and property. I fully apologize for the harm I caused to innocent drivers and their families.” Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot commended Rice for using his platform to warn others about the dangers of street racing.
Creuzot stated, “When someone with Mr. Rice’s public platform chooses to drive so recklessly, there is a responsibility to acknowledge the danger posed to others and take accountability.” He added, “A vehicle in the wrong hands can be as dangerous as any weapon. We are extremely fortunate that no lives were lost that day, and Mr. Rice is fortunate to have walked away unharmed. We hope he takes this as an opportunity to mature and leads by example moving forward.”
Beyond the criminal proceedings, Rice is also facing at least two civil lawsuits related to the crash, with the potential for millions in settlement payments to victims. His attorney was granted a legislative continuance in January, leading to potential delays in civil trials.
Rice, a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, had a productive rookie season in 2023, playing in 16 games. However, he tore the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee in Week 4 last year, ending his season.
He is expected to make a full recovery and be available for the 2025 season, with Chiefs players reporting to training camp on July 21. While the NFL has yet to announce disciplinary action, a multi-game suspension, possibly ranging from two to four games, is anticipated and expected to be served during the 2025 season.
Separately, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Justyn Ross was taken into custody on Monday by authorities. Johnson County Sheriff’s Office arrest records indicate that Ross was booked at 4:27 p.m. on a charge of criminal damage exceeding $25,000, which is classified as a felony in Kansas.
However, the situation evolved, with Ross being officially charged Tuesday morning with domestic battery with no priors and criminal damage of less than $1,000. Both of these charges are misdemeanors, according to court records.
The arrest record’s comment section on the booking sheet included the term “DAVE,” which appears to signify that domestic violence may be a component of the case. The Shawnee Police Department arrested Ross on Monday.
The Chiefs and Ross’s agent did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comments following the initial arrest. The Chiefs later stated they were aware of the arrest but were not commenting.
Ross was scheduled for an arraignment in court on Tuesday afternoon. This marks a significant legal development for the 23-year-old receiver.
Ross is currently in his second season with the Chiefs, though the 2023 season marked his first actual game action. He has accumulated 34 yards on three catches over seven games this year.
His journey to the NFL has been marked by significant health challenges. As an undrafted free agent out of Clemson, Ross was placed on injured reserve last season while recovering from cervical fusion surgery.
He was diagnosed with Klippel-Feil syndrome, a congenital fusion of two vertebrae in his neck. This condition was discovered after he experienced numbness in both arms following a routine hit during practice at Clemson.
Ross underwent surgery in 2020, and initially, it was not expected that he would be able to continue playing football professionally. His case was distinct from Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning’s famous cervical fusion, as Ross’s condition was congenital and addressed before a serious injury occurred.
After more than a year of rehabilitation with Clemson, Ross made his return to the field in 2021. However, another setback occurred when he fractured his foot after playing just 10 games.
Prior to the NFL Draft, only four teams in the league cleared Ross to play, with the Chiefs potentially being among them as they signed him as an undrafted free agent. He was subsequently placed on season-ending injured reserve before the 2022 training camp even commenced.
During his collegiate career, Ross was a key contributor to Clemson’s 2018 college football national championship victory. As a freshman, he recorded an impressive 46 catches for 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns.
He maintained a nearly identical level of productivity as a sophomore before missing his entire junior year due to a career-threatening neck condition. His resilience in returning to the field after such medical adversity has been notable.
Further complicating the situation for the Chiefs’ receiving core, Xavier Worthy, another Kansas City wide receiver, has also been involved in recent legal proceedings. Worthy sued his former girlfriend after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting her earlier this month.
In his lawsuit filed Monday against Tia Jones, Worthy asserts that Jones assaulted him and stole or destroyed more than $150,000 in cash and property. Worthy’s arrest stemmed from Jones’s accusation of assault.
However, Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick chose not to file charges in the case after interviewing multiple witnesses. Dick emphasized that Worthy did not receive any special treatment in the dismissal of the case.
Worthy alleges in the lawsuit that Jones fabricated the abuse allegations and became enraged when he asked her to vacate their shared home. He claims Jones assaulted him, tearing out his hair, and damaged his game room.
He further claims that while he was in jail, Jones stole a handgun, $30,000 in cash, various pieces of jewelry, a key to his Rolls-Royce, and other personal belongings. Worthy is seeking damages ranging from $250,000 to $1 million.
Angelica Cogliano, an attorney representing Jones, stated on Monday that she had not yet reviewed the lawsuit and declined to provide comments. It should also be noted that a Williamson County judge previously granted a protective order to Jones.
District Attorney Dick clarified the dismissal process, explaining that Texas law mandates officers to make an arrest during domestic violence calls. His office then evaluates cases within 15 to 18 hours to decide whether to accept or decline charges, based on available evidence.
Dick reported that in 2024, his office reviewed over 3,900 cases, ultimately declining approximately 800 of them. He underscored the gravity of moving forward with felony charges, stating, “That power to choose to have someone arrested and to move forward on felony charges affects a lot of people’s lives. We take that responsibility very seriously.”
He concluded, “We really should not be ethically moving forward with cases that we don’t believe that we’ll believe that we’ll be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt.” This detailed explanation sheds light on the decision-making process behind the charges being dropped in Worthy’s case.
The Chiefs face a challenging period as their receiving talent navigates significant off-field legal issues. The organization and its players are contending with uncertainty, from impending suspensions to ongoing legal battles, requiring the team to manage both roster dynamics and public perception meticulously. The unfolding situations for Rice, Ross, and Worthy will continue to be monitored closely as their respective legal processes conclude and the NFL determines any disciplinary actions.”
