Chiefs Acknowledge Alleged Abuse Claims Involving Wide Receiver Rashee Rice

The Kansas City Chiefs issued a statement on Wednesday evening stating they have knowledge of domestic violence allegations made public in online accounts by a former girlfriend of player the athlete and had been in contact with the NFL.

The team omitted the name of Rice specifically in their announcement and noted they would have “nothing more to add at this time”.

Claims Shared on Social Media

Dacoda Nichole Jones, who likewise did not name the athlete by name, shared a set of images on Instagram that seemed to depict signs of physical abuse. She stated the individual in question was the father of her children, and reports indicate she has two children with Rice, whom the team drafted in the second round.

Official Complaints Reportedly Unavailable

No official complaints were available in Overland Park, Kansas where the incident is said to have occurred.

Rice's Prior Legal Issues

Rice missed the initial part of this season following an league-mandated ban for his involvement in instigating a crash on a Dallas highway that resulted in several individuals hurt. He was sentenced 30 days in jail and five years’ probation after entering a guilty plea to felony charges.

Statistically, he finished the year with 53 receptions for 571 yards and five TDs as the Kansas City went with a losing record and missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade.