Rashee Rice’s ex denied he punched her but later filed $1 million lawsuit, lawyer says

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is once again at the center of a legal firestorm. Just months after settling felony charges related to a high-speed car crash, Rice is now facing a $1 million civil lawsuit alleging a disturbing pattern of domestic violence by his former partner Dacoda Jones.The lawsuit, filed on February 16, 2026, in Dallas County, comes from Rice’s former partner and the mother of his two children, Dacoda Jones. According to court documents, Jones alleges that Rice subjected her to physical abuse over an 18-month period, spanning from December 2023 to July 2025.The claims are graphic, with Jones alleging that Rice "grabbed, choked, strangled, pushed, and headbutted" her. Most notably, the suit claims several of these incidents occurred while Jones was pregnant. She is seeking damages for physical injury, mental anguish, and medical expenses.Rice’s legal team, led by attorney Sean Lindsey, has moved quickly to dispute the claims. In a statement released to the media, Lindsey highlighted a "sworn Affidavit for Non-Prosecution" signed by Jones on October 9, 2025, months after the alleged abuse ended.In that document, Jones reportedly stated under penalty of perjury:"Mr. Rice and I had a verbal argument, but he did not punch me."Lindsey argues this previous statement contradicts the current lawsuit, suggesting the allegations are inconsistent with her prior testimony.This new case puts Rice’s career and freedom in significant jeopardy. Having already served a six-game suspension in 2025 for his hit-and-run conviction, Rice is now considered a repeat offender under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. This could lead to a baseline suspension of at least six games, or potentially an indefinite ban. Rice is currently serving five years of probation for his 2024 street racing incident. If the allegations in this civil suit lead to criminal charges or are deemed a violation of his "good behavior" requirements, a judge could revoke his probation, potentially resulting in years of prison time.The Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL have both confirmed they are "monitoring the situation." While Rice played eight games in the 2025 season following his initial suspension, his future for the 2026 season is now entirely uncertain. For now, both parties appear content to let the legal process play out in court.