Trigger Warning: This story contains references to domestic violence that some readers may find distressing. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
The Kansas City Chiefs are aware of the problem.
On Wednesday, Dacoda Nichole Jones, the ex-girlfriend of Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (and mother of two of his children), posted allegations of domestic abuse (with photos illustrating her claims) on social media. The post implicated Rice without naming him and was quickly passed around the internet, fueling a narrative of further problems for the wideout.
Without a police report, arrest, or even a named offender in the post, no action has been taken so far by any parties allegedly involved. The nebulous nature and early timing of things would normally keep anyone from making statements, but the Chiefs released a short statement to at least get ahead of the potential fire.
"The club is aware of the allegations on social media and is in communication with the National Football League. We have no further comment at this time."
Nothing is official. There are two sides to every story. A person should be innocent until proven guilty. All of that is true. Not only is it human nature to rush to judgment, but the digital era exponentially increases our ability to do so.
The growing pattern of controversy around Rashee Rice is becoming harder for the Chiefs to dismiss.
That said, it also needs to be stated plainly: domestic violence is a deplorable and disgusting act. It is serious, it is traumatic, and it should never be minimized. No matter who is involved, allegations of this nature demand gravity and care, even at the earliest stages.
And yet, even before any legal conclusions are reached, this situation is undeniably a very bad look for both the player and the Kansas City Chiefs. This incident does not exist in a vacuum. Rice is already coming off a turbulent year in 2025 in which he was finally punished—on and off the field—for a reckless driving incident in 2024 that caused a multi-vehicular accident and injuries. The NFL suspended him for six games as a result.
The Chiefs not only dealt with the uncertainty of his availability while trying to plan their approach to roster-building, but they also had to contend with the constant questions and image issues that come from a player making stupid and dangerous decisions. From there, Rice's absence was certainly a major factor in the team's sluggish start in a season where everything ultimately fell apart.
Given Rice's history and the Chiefs' attempts at maintaining a positive community influence and healthy internal culture, at some point, the issue stops being about a single allegation and instead shifts to a broader destructive pattern.
Is Rashee Rice toxic? The question must be asked and answered in an honest way by his employer, because it matters a great deal going forward.
The Chiefs may ultimately have no action to take here. The allegations may go nowhere. But some organizational damage has already been inflicted that has nothing to do with court dates. At this point, the Chiefs have to decide how willing they are to deal with the distractions that seem to follow one of their most relied-upon pass-catchers.