Chiefs star Rashee Rice has been sentenced to prison. The NFL has scheduled a hearing, but not until the end of September. The decision raises questions.

Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice remains a hot topic in the NFL.

After an accident during a street race that left several people injured and was caught on video, Rice pleaded guilty to two charges on July 17. His sentence includes 30 days in jail and five years of probation.

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However, the NFL’s disciplinary hearing is not scheduled until September 30, a delay that will allow Rice to play at least the first four, but likely five, games of the season.

These include high-profile games such as Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil, Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Week 3 against the New York Giants, Week 4 against the Baltimore Ravens, and possibly Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Rashee Rice case: NFL action unusual

A league source described the delay to NBC as “unusual” and said, “Maybe I’m a conspiracy theorist, but this is just weird.”

The source added: “You hardly ever see players suspended during the season unless they’ve done something during the season, like a drug test or something like that.”

Penalties are usually handed down before the start of the season to provide clarity.

In comparison, wide receiver Jordan Addison of the Minnesota Vikings was convicted in a DUI case on the same day, July 17, without receiving a prison sentence, but will have to sit out the first three games of the season.

The contrast raises questions: Why wasn’t Rice’s case handled as quickly, even though his guilt has already been established? The NFL has not yet commented on the matter.