Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson expressed fear for her life while filing for a temporary protective order against her ex-boyfriend, Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr., ESPN and TMZ reported on Wednesday.
The temporary order was requested and granted after Pearce reportedly crashed his vehicle into Jackson’s several times in Doral, Fla., on Feb. 7. Police allege that Pearce subsequently hit a police officer with his car and fled the scene.
Pearce eventually was arrested on suspicion of two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, fleeing and eluding police officers, and aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer.
Jackson’s statement to the court read in part, per the two Wednesday reports, “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 added that Pearce offered her money — $75,000 for a visit or $200,000 “to remain in a relationship with him” — just before the Feb. 7 car confrontation. She said she is willing to testify against him in court.
The current court order bars Pearce from contacting Jackson, getting within 500 feet of her home or place of employment and within 100 feet of her vehicle. A hearing regarding a permanent injunction is slated for April 21.
According to ESPN, at least seven other 911 calls to police in the months prior to the Feb. 7 incident reported Pearce to be stalking or harassing an unnamed girlfriend.
Pearce, 22, was selected by the Falcons in the first round (26th overall) of the 2025 draft. He finished third in AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting after recording 10.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, five passes defensed and 26 tackles in 17 games (three starts).
Jackson, 24, was a first-round pick (fourth overall) by the Sparks in 2024. She finished ninth in WNBA MVP voting last year in her second season, when she averaged 14.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 38 games (37 starts).
