Sparks Rickea Jackson asks court for protection

Stating that she fears for her life, Sparks ahead Rickea Jackson has filed a petition for protection against her ex-boyfriend, Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr.

Miami-Dade (Fla.) County Judge Heloiza Correa granted Jackson’s initial request for protection Feb. 9, and a everlasting injunction listening to is set for April 21. Pearce is under order not to have contact with Jackson or come within 500 toes of her home or place of employment.

“James has threatened to kill me, James has threatened to harm me, James has threatened to injure me, James has threatened to place a bag over my head, and James has verbally and physically abused me on more than one occasion,” Jackson wrote in her assertion to the court.

Jackson, 24, also filed discover with the court that she is prepared to testify against Pearce. Her unique petition for injunction for protection against courting violence — basically a restraining order — was filed two days after Pearce’s arrest Feb. 7 for allegedly ramming his Lamborghini SUV into her car more than once, and doing the same to a police car in Doral, Fla.

Pearce, 22, faces felony prices of aggravated battery with a lethal weapon, aggravated stalking, aggravated battery and fleeing from a police officer. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of resisting an officer and 9 visitors violations.

“Mr. Pearce maintains his innocence and urges the public to understand that while allegations have the power to shape a narrative, that it is hardly the full, complete story,” Pearce’s attorney, Jacob Nunez, told AP shortly after the arrest. “We look forward to vigorously defending our client.”

In a court submitting, Jackson said that she broke up with Pearce weeks before the incident that led to his arrest. She said Pearce provided her $200,000 to stay in a relationship with him and that his habits toward her grew to become more and more alarming. According to ESPN, at least seven other 911 calls to police ⁠in the months before the Feb. 7 incident reported Pearce to be stalking or harassing an unnamed girlfriend.

A police report says the connection between Jackson and Pearce started three years in the past when both have been star athletes at Tennessee.

Pearce was taken by the Falcons in the first spherical of the 2025 draft with a decide acquired from the Rams. The 6-foot-5, 243-pound edge rusher completed third for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year after recording 10.5 sacks.

Jackson was a first-round decide of the Sparks in 2024. The 6-2 ahead emerged as a star in her second season, selecting up MVP votes after averaging 14.7 factors, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists.

“She’s a smooth person, smooth athlete, smooth basketball player,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said in 2025. “She makes hard things look really easy … she makes things look effortless, and I know they’re not.”

The relationship between Jackson and Pearce grew to become risky in January when the Falcons star admitted in a police report obtained by ESPN that he thought Jackson was dishonest on him.

The Feb. 7 incident was described in Jackson’s court submitting and a police report. Jackson was trying to get away from Pearce, who adopted her in his car, tried to open her car door at a stop and slammed into her car more than once while she tried to enter the Doral Police Department car parking zone “because I knew James was going to hurt me,” Jackson said.

An officer pulled a gun on Pearce and ordered him to get on the ground. However, Pearce jumped back into his car. The officer tried to open the door, but Pearce shut it and drove away, his car clipping an officer’s left knee.

Police gave chase and Pearce crashed at an intersection before fleeing on foot. Officers said that they caught up with him and he resisted arrest. He was launched after posting a $20,500 bond.