Kansas City Chiefs Acknowledge Alleged Abuse Allegations Connected to Wide Receiver Rashee Rice

The NFL franchise released a comment on Wednesday evening indicating they are aware of claims of abuse made public in social media posts by a ex-partner of player Rashee Rice and were in communication with the league office.

The team omitted the name of Rice by name in their announcement and stated they would have “no further comment at this time”.

Claims Posted on Social Media

Dacoda Nichole Jones, who also did not mention the athlete directly, posted a series of photos on Instagram that seemed to depict signs of physical abuse. She did say the individual in question was the father of her children, and it is known she has two children with Rice, whom the Chiefs selected in the second round.

Police Reports Reportedly Not on File

No police reports were available in the Kansas City suburb where the alleged abuse is said to have occurred.

Rice's Recent Legal Issues

Rice was absent for the first six games of this season due to an league-mandated ban for his involvement in instigating a crash on a Dallas highway that resulted in several individuals hurt. Rice was sentenced 30 days in jail and five years’ probation after pleading guilty to serious offenses.

On the field, Rice finished the year with 53 receptions for 571 yards and five touchdowns as the Kansas City finished with a losing record and failed to qualify for the postseason for the first time in a decade.