Rickea Jackson Files Protective Order Against James Pearce Jr

The WNBA star has filed a lawsuit against the NFL player. Newly revealed court documents and police reports paint a troubling picture of alleged threats, car chases, and escalating tension.

Something deeply unsettling was unfolding behind the scenes of a high-profile sports relationship.

Newly surfaced court filings now reveal why WNBA star Rickea Jackson says she had no choice but to ask a judge for protection against her ex-boyfriend, NFL player James Pearce Jr.

The Los Angeles Sparks forward claims she was left in fear for her life. But the details that led to that moment are only now coming into focus.

Behind the Scenes of a Troubled Relationship

At first glance, Jackson and Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Pearce Jr. looked like another young sports power couple navigating busy careers. But according to court documents obtained by ESPN, Jackson says their relationship had become volatile long before the breaking point.

Jackson, 24, wrote in the court filing that Pearce had "verbally and physically abused me on more than one occasion." She also alleged he threatened to harm her and even talked about placing a bag over her head.

The tension, she said, intensified after she tried to break up with him, weeks before an incident in February 2026. Jackson wrote that Pearce Jr. "did not listen to my request and instead went on a campaign of threats, physical assaults, and abuse against me."

A Disturbing Warning Inside the Court Filing

The most chilling part of Jackson's petition is also the most direct. She told the court that she believed her life was in danger and warned authorities:

"James will kill me."

Those words were included in her request for an injunction for protection against dating violence. The court granted Jackson's initial protective order, and a hearing to determine whether it will become permanent is scheduled for April 21 this year.

Under the current order, Pearce Jr. is prohibited from contacting Jackson and must remain 500 feet away from her home and workplace and 100 feet away from her vehicle.

The Money Offers That Raised Eyebrows

According to Jackson's petition, the hours leading up to the February confrontation contained another unexpected twist. She alleged Pearce Jr.offered her "up to $75,000" just to visit him.

Even more startling, Jackson claimed he promised, "$200,000 to remain in a relationship with him." The alleged offers came shortly before the incident that would eventually lead to Pearce Jr.'s arrest.

The Night Police Say Things Spiraled

The confrontation that pushed everything into the legal system happened on February 7 in Doral, Florida. Jackson told authorities she noticed Pearce Jr. following her in his vehicle while she was driving home.

Feeling unsafe, she called 911 and made a split-second decision to drive toward the Doral police station because, as she wrote in her filing, "I knew James was going to hurt me."

What happened next quickly escalated.

A High-Speed Chase Toward the Police Station

Jackson told police Pearce Jr. chased her at high speeds, blocked her car at a traffic light, and even tried to get inside her vehicle. She said Pearce Jr. then jumped onto her car before returning to his own.

According to the filing, he allegedly began ramming her vehicle multiple times in an attempt to spin it out. Jackson said Pearce Jr. eventually ran her off the road before she managed to reach the police station.

The Scene That Ended With an Arrest

When Jackson arrived at the station, she flagged down an officer. Moments later, she says Pearce Jr. rammed her car again.

Police attempted to arrest him at the scene, but authorities say he ignored commands, got back into his vehicle, and fled. According to reports, officers even drew a gun during the confrontation.

What the Police Charged Pearce With

The encounter quickly turned into a dramatic police chase. Authorities say Pearce Jr.'s vehicle crashed at an intersection before he tried to escape on foot.

He was eventually arrested and now faces five felony charges, including two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, fleeing and eluding police, and aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer.

He also faces nine traffic citations and a misdemeanor charge for resisting an officer without violence. Pearce Jr., 22, has maintained his innocence through his legal team.

Police Had Already Been Called Multiple Times

What makes the situation even more complicated is what allegedly happened before the February 7 crash. Police records reviewed by ESPN show authorities responded to at least seven 911 calls involving Pearce Jr. and a woman believed to be Jackson between November 2025 and early February 2026.

Those calls described escalating fears that Pearce was stalking and harassing her, and that he may have even attempted to break into her residence.

During a January 28 call, the woman told police she was "in fear" after damage appeared on the door of the home. She ultimately chose to leave the house and stay at a hotel to "avoid further incidents."

An Earlier Confrontation That Raised Questions

Another January police report described a tense argument between the two in an Uber. According to Jackson's court filing, Pearce believed she was cheating on him, an accusation that Jackson said intensified tensions between them and contributed to the confrontation that month.

Jackson told officers that Pearce Jr. took her phone, pulled her hair, and grabbed her belongings. Pearce Jr., however, denied that a physical altercation occurred.

An Uber driver who witnessed part of the dispute reportedly said he only saw a verbal argument, and police noted there were no visible injuries at the time.

Because of conflicting accounts, investigators said they did not find evidence of a crime in that incident.

What Happens Next?

The legal process surrounding the protective order is far from over. Jackson has already filed notice with the court stating that she is willing to testify if the criminal case against Pearce Jr. proceeds.

Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons have declined to comment publicly on the situation. The NFL has also indicated that the arrest will be reviewed under the league's personal conduct policy.

As the case moves through the courts, both athletes now face a legal battle that could have serious personal and professional consequences. For Jackson, the lawsuit represents what she says was a necessary step to ensure her safety.

With a hearing scheduled and criminal charges pending, the full truth behind the allegations will ultimately be determined in court, where the events described in the filings will be closely examined in the months ahead.