WNBA star Rickea Jackson ‘willing to testify’ against Falcons’ James Pearce Jr. as domestic violence case unfolds with multiple felony charges
Sparks forward Rickea Jackson is “willing to testify” against Falcons pass rusher James Pearce Jr. in his felony battery case, according to new court documents.
In a notice that was filed in the criminal case against Pearce Jr. in Miami-Dade County, Fla. on Tuesday, Jackson’s lawyers wrote the WNBA star “remains cooperative and willing to testify at trial, if one is necessary.”
Sparks forward Rickea Jackson is “willing to testify” against Falcons pass rusher James Pearce Jr. in his felony battery case, according to new court documents.
Pearce Jr. has been hit with multiple charges, including counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated stalking and fleeing, after he allegedly terrorized Jackson during a Feb. 7 incident in Doral, Fla.
According to the criminal complaint, Jackson, who dated Pearce Jr. for several years before recently breaking up, texted Pearce Jr. on Feb. 6 to leave her alone, but a day later, she claimed he had began following her in his vehicle.
Falcons pass rusher James Pearce Jr. was arrested on Feb. 7 after he allegedly terrorized Rickea Jackson.
Jackson accused Pearce Jr. of getting out of his car and attempting to get into hers while she was at a red light, but she sped away.
Pearce Jr. then allegedly rear-ended her vehicle and hit her head-on as she attempted to drive toward a local police station.
The 2025 first-round NFL draft pick was ultimately confronted by cops, but he fled, according to the criminal complaint.
James Pearce Jr. attended NFL Honors in San Francisco just days before he was arrested in Florida.
Pearce Jr. allegedly went on to crash his car at a nearby intersection, and following an ensuing altercation with officers, he was taken into custody.
Pearce Jr.’s legal team said after he was released from jail on Feb. 9 that the football player “maintains his innocence.”
“We look forward to working with the State Attorney’s Office in fully investigating this case and uncovering the truth,” said Pearce Jr.’s lawyers Jacob Nunez, Yale Sanford and Joshua Cohen. “Mr. Pearce maintains his innocence and urges the public to understand that while allegations have the power to shape a narrative, that it is hardly the full, complete story.
James Pearce Jr. had 10.5 sacks in his rookie season for the Falcons.
“We look forward to vigorously defending our Client and remain confident that he will continue contributing positively to both his team and the community he serves so well.”
The Falcons have said they’re “in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time.”
Pearce Jr. — who attended NFL Honors in San Francisco on Feb. 5 — finished third in AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting after a stellar rookie season.
Jackson, meanwhile, played in 38 games for the Sparks in 2025, logging 14.7 points per contest.
Pearce Jr. and Jackson both played collegiately at Tennessee.
