Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice faces a civil lawsuit seeking more than $1 million in damages after his ex-girlfriend accused him of repeated physical assaults spanning an 18-month period, adding to the player’s mounting legal troubles.
The lawsuit, filed February 16, 2026, in Dallas County by Dacoda Jones, the mother of Rice’s two children, alleges a disturbing pattern of domestic violence between December 2023 and July 2025 at his residences in both Texas and Missouri. Jones claims Rice “grabbed, choked, strangled, pushed, thrown, scratched, hit, and headbutted” her multiple times, according to documents obtained by Fox News.
History of Allegations
This isn’t the first time these allegations have surfaced publicly. Jones initially posted photos to Instagram in January showing herself with a bloody lip, scratches and bruises. While she didn’t name Rice directly in those posts, she referred to her abuser as the father of her children and described being locked outside in freezing weather after their late-2025 breakup.
The formal lawsuit now details alleged incidents that occurred at Rice’s homes in Victory Park, Dallas and in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Court documents claim Rice also hit Jones with “inanimate objects” and destroyed property during these confrontations, as reported by local media.
What makes this case particularly troubling for the Chiefs organization? The allegations come while Rice is still serving probation for an unrelated incident that already resulted in NFL discipline.
Previous Legal Issues
In July 2025, Rice pleaded guilty to felony racing and felony accident causing serious bodily injury stemming from a March 2024 high-speed crash. His Lamborghini SUV reportedly reached speeds of 119 mph before triggering a six-vehicle chain-reaction collision in Dallas.
That guilty plea resulted in five years of probation, including a requirement to serve 30 days in the Dallas County jail intermittently over that period. Rice was also ordered to pay approximately $115,000 in restitution to victims for out-of-pocket medical expenses and received a six-game suspension at the start of the 2025 NFL season.
Damages Sought
Jones is seeking substantial compensation for what her attorneys characterize as lasting harm. The civil suit details damages including “physical pain and mental anguish, physical impairment, disfigurement, previous and future medical care and loss of earnings,” according to court documents.
The lawsuit also seeks punitive damages, alleging Rice’s actions constituted intentional conduct and gross negligence toward the mother of his children.
“On Feb. 16, 2026, a lawsuit was filed in Dallas County that alleges Rice physically assaulted his ex-girlfriend multiple times between December 2023 and July 2025 at Rice’s homes in Victory Park, Dallas and in Lee’s Summit, Missouri,” confirmed NBC Sports.
NFL Response
The NFL had already begun reviewing Jones’ social media allegations before the lawsuit was filed. League sources indicate that investigation will now be expanded to incorporate the formal legal claims.
Neither Rice nor his representatives have issued public comments on the lawsuit as of press time. The Chiefs organization, which selected Rice in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of SMU, has also remained silent on the matter.
For Rice, the timing couldn’t be worse. Just as he appeared to be moving past his legal issues related to the high-speed collision, these domestic violence allegations threaten not only his standing with the team but potentially his freedom, as they could constitute violations of his existing probation terms.
