Falcons Star James Pearce Jr. Is “Lucky To Be Alive” As Disturbing New Details Reveal Just How Close He Was To Being Shot Before His Arrest
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
More stunning and disturbing details have emerged regarding the arrest of Atlanta Falcons star rookie linebacker James Pearce Jr.
On Saturday, news broke that James Pearce Jr. was arrested in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Police arrested the rookie linebacker following a domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend, Los Angeles Sparks star Rickea Jackson.
Andy Slater of Fox Sports 640 South Florida has provided more shocking information about the incident involving Pearce’s arrest. Pearce allegedly crashed his vehicle into Jackson’s multiple times in an effort to stop her from driving to the police station.
SLATER SCOOP: James Pearce Jr. is accused of intentionally crashing his Lamborghini into his ex-girlfriend’s car multiple times, trying to stop her from getting to a police station, law-enforcement sources tell me.
That alleged incident led to cops chasing the NFL star. https://t.co/0fu2EfzCjh
— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) February 8, 2026
According to Slater, James Pearce Jr. stalked Jackson and tried to get into her car at an intersection. Even as she drove away, the 2025 first-round pick continued to chase after Jackson.
This entire situation started after Pearce Jr. allegedly stalked his ex from his car and tried to get into her car at an intersection, I’m told.
She sped away, but he still continued to go after her. https://t.co/l9REZZLF6K— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) February 8, 2026
Slater also reports that Pearce “intentionally drove into a police officer” and hit their knee in an effort to escape. A source told Slater that Pearce Jr. is “lucky to be alive” after the incident.
SLATER SCOOP: Pearce Jr. also intentionally drove into a police officer, hitting the cop’s knee in an effort to get away, I’m told.
The Atlanta Falcons linebacker is “lucky to be alive” after that, a high-ranking police source tells me. https://t.co/l9REZZLF6K
— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) February 8, 2026
Slater adds that a cop had drawn his gun on Pearce, who was refusing orders:
NEW INFO: The officer had his gun drawn as Pearce Jr. was allegedly not obeying commands, I’ve learned. https://t.co/vpjol7whJJ
— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) February 8, 2026
More to come.
Falcons Release A Statement On James Pearce Jr.’s Arrest
Per WPLG-TV, the Falcons released the following statement on Pearce Jr.’s arrest:
“We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr., in Miami. We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time.”
Atlanta traded up via the Los Angeles Rams to select Pearce Jr. with the No. 26 pick last year. The Falcons gave up a steep price to get Pearce, including their 2026 first-round pick, to the NFC runner-ups.
Pearce led all rookies with 10.5 sacks this season. His teammate, fellow first-round pick Jalon Walker, was a distant second with 5.5. Atlanta finished 8-9 for the second straight season. They lost out on the NFC South in a three-way tiebreaker with the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
