Rickea Jackson's Move To Testify Against NFL Ex James Pearce Jr. Sparks Heated Debate Among Fans

WNBA star Rickea Jackson submitted formal documentation indicating her intent to testify against her NFL star ex-boyfriend, James Pearce Jr., following his arrest for an alleged domestic violence dispute.

Social media users have responded to the news of Jackson's willingness to work with law enforcement, and some suggested Jackson's potential statements could negatively impact Pearce Jr.'s future in the NFL.

Other users, however, are rushing to Rickea Jackson's defense, stating that the Los Angeles Sparks superstar has every right to testify, noting that the alleged altercation could've left her seriously injured.

ESPN reported today, February 11, that Jackson's legal team filed a court notice stating that the WNBA player is "willing to testify" against Pearce Jr., a defensive standout for the Atlanta Falcons.

In the filing, Jackson's lawyers asked that the court dedicate "all possible resources and personnel" to the ongoing case to "conclude it as soon as practicable and bring justice to her and the people of the State of Florida."

According to a previous report from The Blast, Pearce Jr. was arrested in Miami-Dade County and charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and a count of aggravated stalking.

Additionally, Pearce Jr. received a fleeing and eluding, aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, and a resisting an officer without violence charge.

Pearce Jr.'s arrest came after an alleged domestic dispute involving him and Jackson.

ESPN added that Jackson told Florida law enforcement officers that her ex-boyfriend of nearly three years followed her in his car in early February 2026 and even tried opening her car door during a stop.

Jackson further detailed to police that Pearce Jr. repeatedly slammed his vehicle into hers as she attempted to seek safety at the Doral Police Department.

The situation gets even worse, as the affidavit states that police attempted to stop Pearce Jr., but the Falcons' rookie got back into his car, locked the door, and drove away.

After allegedly fleeing the scene, legal documents state that Pearce Jr. struck an officer in the left knee, characterizing the move as an intentional "attempt to evade arrest."

ESPN shared that Pearce Jr. later crashed his car at an intersection, got out, and ran away on foot before officers caught up to him. They added that the NFL star "began to resist arrest by tensing his arms and not allowing officers to apprehend him."

Popular Instagram blog TheShadeRoom shared the update regarding Jackson and Pearce Jr., triggering a polarized reaction from fans.

One user expressed frustration with Jackson's decision to testify if needed, writing, "Shawty tweaked. He ain't neva do Rickea like dat."

Another wrote, "She ain't wrong for testifying, but tbh, I would like for them to get to a point they can just squash it and move on with their lives."

A third posted, "Rickea, don't you testify against the guy you loved for 3 years and destroy his somewhat left career. All couples go thru things."

Other users, however, slammed this logic and urged Jackson to testify if the case requires it.

"As she should. His intentions were death.. if they let him off, ain't no telling what he will do next .. we have seen this time after time... It's time to protect women fr this time and hold men accountable," someone wrote.

The supportive comments didn't stop there. Another user wrote, "Rightfully so, hope he never plays in the NFL again."

Someone else posted: "Everyone's ignoring the fact that he also struck a cop while fleeing away!! That alone is gonna get him around 5 years in jail! He gotta fight a DV case on top of hitting law enforcement...His NFL career is cooked."

Several other netizens questioned the logic of those defending Pearce Jr., with one exclaiming, "Are y'all really in the comments defending this man?! This society is cooked!!!"

Another posted, "He quite literally intentionally rammed his vehicle into hers, multiple times… on top of stalking her… and y'all are literally saying she shouldn't testify? [Are] y'all coo?!"

Jackson and Pearce Jr. began dating at the University of Tennessee, where Jackson starred on the Lady Vols women's basketball team and Pearce Jr. played football.