Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice was sentenced to 30 days in jail Thursday morning, roughly a year and a half after he lost control while speeding on a Dallas highway, causing a multi-vehicle hit-and-run.
Related:A year ago, Rashee Rice caused a major crash on a Dallas highway. What’s happened since?
Rice pleaded guilty to collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing serious bodily injury, both third-degree felonies, according to a news release from the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. Rice was also required to pay all of the victims’ out-of-pocket medical expenses, totaling more than $115,000, the news release said.
As part of the plea, Rice was also given five years deferred adjudication probation, meaning he will not have a conviction on his record if he successfully completes probation. He will also be required to complete 60 hours of community service. It’s unclear when Rice will serve his jail sentence; he did not immediately appear in Dallas County jail records Thursday.
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Rice’s attorney, state Sen. Royce West, said at a news conference Thursday afternoon that Rice will be able to work around his work schedule to serve the 30 days in Dallas County. West said Rice intends to report for Chiefs training camp, which begins Monday in Missouri.
“There have been a lot of sleepless nights thinking about the damages that my actions caused, and I will continue working within my means to make sure that everyone impacted will be made whole,” Rice said in a statement released by West shortly after sentencing.
The statement continued: “I urge everyone to mind the speed limit, drive safe and drive smart. Last and certainly not least, I am profoundly sorry for the physical damages to person and property. I fully apologize for the harm I caused to innocent drivers and their families.”
At the news conference Thursday afternoon, Royce read another statement from Rice, in which he said he took full responsibility for the crash.
“This was a moment of intense failure on my part, and I am truly sorry for the harm experienced by so many, including the victims, their families, my family, the Kansas City Chiefs organization, my teammates, fans and the community at large,” the statement said. “I’m committed to doing everything I can to make amends for my actions.”
West said the incident was a “youthful indiscretion” and asked for Rice not to be judged over it. Rice was 23 years old when the crash occurred.
“From the beginning, I stood right here, asking people to don’t judge Rashee Rice by this one incident in his life,” West said.
West declined to comment when asked if Rice’s sentence was a “slap on the wrist.” When asked why Rice fled the scene of the crash, West did not give a reason, but said Rice realizes now it was a mistake and regrets it.
The cases did not immediately appear in court records Thursday. The status of the charges against Teddy Knox, a then-SMU football player who police also said was involved in the crash, was not immediately known.
Related:5 things to know about Teddy Knox, SMU player accused in hit-and-run involving Rashee Rice
“When someone with Mr. Rice’s public platform chooses to drive so recklessly, there is a responsibility to acknowledge the danger posed to others and take accountability,” District Attorney John Creuzot said in a statement. “A vehicle in the wrong hands can be as dangerous as any weapon. … We hope he takes this as an opportunity to mature and leads by example moving forward. I wish him the best in making safer choices.”
Rice is subject to discipline under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Brian McCarthy, an NFL spokesman, said the league has been “closely monitoring all developments in the matter which remains under review.”
A Chiefs spokesman said the club was aware of the plea but declined to comment.
Related:Report details how crash unfolded involving Kansas City Chiefs wideout Rashee Rice
On March 30, 2024, police say, Rice and Knox were speeding in two high-end sports cars on North Central Expressway when they lost control, crashed into multiple vehicles and fled the scene. An arrest-warrant affidavit said before the crash, Rice was driving 119 mph in a rented Lamborghini Urus, while Knox was driving 116 mph in a Chevrolet Corvette registered to Rice before slowing to 91 mph about a second before the collision.
Related:Kansas City Chiefs’ Rashee Rice suspected in connection with 6-vehicle crash in Dallas
The speed limit on the stretch of highway where the crash occurred is 70 mph.
After the crash, Rice and Knox were each charged with one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision involving injury.
Related:Why wasn’t Chiefs WR Rashee Rice suspended for Week 1 win vs. Ravens?
Rice hasn’t received any kind of suspension from the NFL. During his rookie season, he won Super Bowl LVIII with the Chiefs. He played four games for the Chiefs in 2024 and was sidelined for most of the season with a knee injury.
Knox was suspended by SMU after the crash, then entered the transfer portal. He is not listed online as playing for any team.
Related:4th person sues Chiefs’ Rashee Rice in connection with 2024 high-speed crash in Dallas
Rice and Knox are still facing lawsuits from several people injured in the crash.
Staff writer Joseph Hoyt contributed to this report.