Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has waited close to a year to return to the football field, facing a major injury followed by a suspension for pleading guilty to two felony charges related to a high-speed car crash last year.
Rice is finally set to return this weekend, and delivered a message on the “adversity” he faced over the past year — comments that have stirred up some controversy among fans.
Rashee Rice Under Fire for Comments
Rice has tried to put his legal troubles behind him, moving past the two felony charges related to a crash including one for racing on a highway and causing bodily injury. The receiver still must serve a 30-day jail sentence at some point during his five years of probation, but his suspension has come to an end and he will be able to rejoin his Chiefs teammates in Week 7.
Speaking to The Associated Press, Rice did not comment directly on his criminal case but did say he was excited to return. Rice said he learned a lot in his time away, including what it took to overcome “adversity.”
âI learned that I love the game of football,â Rice said. âI was able to realize how strong I am mentally, being able to face a lot of adversity.â
The comments sparked some pushback, with some fans claiming that it was Rice who caused the adversity by his negligent driving. Many had already pushed back on a hype video that Rice shared earlier in the week, saying it struck the wrong tone for a player who was suspended for causing a serious car wreck.
Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf, who faced his own troubles with the law, called out Rice for posting the video.
“Youâd think this fella was returning from an ACL or something not a suspension for committing a felony and almost killing people with his vehicle and then just up and leaving!! #PERSPECTIVE” Leaf shared in a post on X.
Chiefs Ready for Rashee Rice to Take His Place
The Chiefs struggled on offense at times during Rice’s absence this year, dropping their first two games and falling to 3-3 to start the season. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said he’s excited to see the team’s top wide receiver return, though wouldn’t say yet just how big a role he would play in his first game back.
âIâm sure heâs excited to play. He hasnât played a real game for a year and six weeks,â Reid said. âIâm just going to watch it in the game. He knows everything. How many reps he gets â Iâm sure it wonât be every rep. Weâll just see how he does.â
Rice said he was appreciative of the support his teammates showed during his time away, starting with last year’s knee injury.
âI mean, the best thing for me is to be around the guys. I got leaders in each room, even on defense, that help me on and off the field,â Rice said. âThatâs the best part about being on a team like this. You have everybody to support you.â
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