Roger Goodell Explains NFL’s Stance on Chiefs WR Rashee Rice’s Future After Car Crash

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVApril 26, 2024

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell explained Thursday that the league is waiting for the legal process to play out in regards to Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice, who caused a multi-car crash last month.

“Well, first, we allow the legal process to move through,” he told ESPN’s Mike Greenberg (h/t Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk). “We obviously are following it closely, and as soon as they’re done with the process, we will be engaged and prepared to look at that under all of our Personal Conduct Policies.”

According to an arrest affidavit, Rice was driving a Lamborghini 119 mph shortly before causing a six-car crash on the highway.

Suspended SMU cornerback Teddy Knox was driving Rice’s Chevrolet Corvette and both he and Rice “made multiple aggressive maneuvers to get through traffic,” per the affidavit. Rice and Knox are each facing a civil lawsuit, which was filed by two victims of the crash.

According to Williams, Rice is facing eight felony charges.

While the focus is now on the legal proceedings, the NFL can suspend the Chiefs wide receiver regardless of those rulings using its Personal Conduct Policy. Williams suggested he will “likely” be suspended at some point of the 2024 campaign.

“Today I met with Dallas PD investigators regarding Saturday’s accident,” Rice said earlier this month in a statement. “I take full responsibility for my part in this matter and will continue to cooperate with the necessary authorities. I sincerely apologize to everyone impacted in Saturday’s accident.”

McCarriston and Podell noted Rice and Knox are being sued for $1 million by the two victims who, according to the court document, suffered “trauma to the brain, lacerations to the face requiring stitches, multiple contusions about the body, disfigurement, internal bleeding and other internal and external injuries that may only be fully revealed over the course of medical treatment.”

Rice and Knox reportedly left the scene following the crash and did not remain to see if anyone needed medical attention.

The NFL will surely make a ruling at some point, but Goodell’s comments suggested it won’t come until the legal proceedings are determined.