Pro Football Rumors
The earlier report of a six-game Rashee Rice suspension proved telling; the Chiefs wide receiver will accept that NFL punishment, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports.
Rather than proceed to a Sept. 30 hearing, Rice will accept this deal and serve the ban to open the season. While it would have been quite strange to see Rice play the first four games before the hearing and drag this process out, Pelissero adds that was never the real plan here. A settlement loomed as the most likely outcome, and it has now come to pass.
Rice’s criminal case — in connection with a hit-and-run incident that brought eight felony charges — concluded last month with a sentence of five years probation and a 30-day prison term. Rice received deferred adjudication, which would potentially allow him to avoid the prison stay, but his NFL matter lingered for several weeks after the legal resolution.
The NFL was believed to be initially seeking a suspension that ranged into double-digit territory. While Rice finalized his hit-and-run matter, he was accused of punching a photographer at a nightclub following that freeway street-racing incident (though, the accuser did not end up pressing charges). Another incident during Rice’s college days also was believed to have factored into the NFL’s investigation. When Rice was at SMU, Rice or a member of his party fired gunshots into an empty vehicle belonging to a Mustangs basketball player.
But this latest Chiefs off-field saga has produced finality. They will have Rice eligible to return beginning in Week 7. The three-time reigning AFC champions will be without their top wideout for games against the Chargers, Eagles, Giants, Ravens, Jaguars and Lions.
More to come.
