NFL imposes a 6-game suspension on Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice due to his part in a traffic accident during the football season
Kansas City Chiefs' Wide Receiver Rashee Rice Suspended for Six Games
Rashee Rice, the 25-year-old wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs, has been suspended for the first six games of the 2025 NFL regular season. The suspension is a result of a conviction related to a multi-vehicle crash in March 2024, which violated the NFL's personal conduct policy.
On July 17, 2024, Rice pled guilty to two third-degree felony charges: a collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway, causing bodily injury. The crash happened on a Dallas freeway in April 2024, causing a chain-reaction involving six cars. Rice was sentenced to five years of probation and 30 days of jail time that can be served during those five years. He is also required to pay restitution to the victims for medical expenses, totaling more than $115,000.
Rice's guilty plea resulted in an immediate suspension, with the suspension beginning on Wednesday afternoon, according to the league's official announcement. The games Rice will miss include a Week 1 trip to Brazil to play the Los Angeles Chargers and a Week 2 Super Bowl rematch against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Before his injury, Rice was the focal point of Kansas City's offense, totaling 24 receptions for 288 yards and two touchdowns in the first three games of the season. In his absence, the Chiefs have kept eight wide receivers on their roster as a contingency plan. Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, Tyquan Thornton, Juju Smith-Schuster, Nikko Remigio, and Jason Brownlee are likely to be the main wide receivers for the Chiefs during Rice's suspension.
Rice has expressed remorse for the accident and the harm caused to innocent drivers and their families. He urged everyone to mind the speed limit, drive safely, and drive smart. He also stated that he will continue working to make sure that everyone impacted by the accident will be made whole.
The SMU product that Kansas City drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft will be eligible to return to the field in Week 7 for the Chiefs' game against the Las Vegas Raiders on October 7, 2025. The Chiefs organization has not yet issued a statement regarding Rice's suspension.
