Rashee Rice has been sentenced to prison by a US judge. What does the future hold for him and the Kansas City Chiefs?

The next decision has been made in the Rashee Rice case. Just in time for the start of the Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp, head coach Andy Reid has announced that the wide receiver will be a full participant in camp.

“We will continue as normal with him,” the head coach is quoted as saying by the Associated Press: “He will participate and do all the drills he normally does. We always rotate at that position. Depending on what happens here in the future, whoever has to play will step in and know what he has to do and be in good shape to do it.”

Reid’s announcement comes three days after the wide receiver and the franchise received some important news.

It has been well over a year since the NFL franchise’s wide receiver was involved in an illegal street race in his Lamborghini in Dallas, Texas, causing a serious accident involving a total of six vehicles and subsequently fleeing the scene.

Two people involved had to be treated in hospital. Rice, who was found with marijuana in his car, later turned himself in to the authorities and took responsibility for the accident.

Rice pleaded guilty

There were no immediate consequences in the months that followed – neither criminal nor sporting by the NFL. The course of action was always clear. The best football league in the world does not take action until a US court has made a decision. This has now happened.

Rice pleaded guilty in Dallas County District Court to committing criminal offences. Court documents also show that he will pay more than US$1 million as part of a civil settlement, including legal fees and compensation to the accident victims to cover medical expenses.

A judge subsequently sentenced the athlete to five years’ probation and a 30-day prison sentence, which can be served at any time within the five-year period.

Rice comments in a personal statement

“Last March, I was involved in a high-speed accident in Dallas. I have had many sleepless nights thinking about the damage I caused. I will continue to do everything in my power to ensure that all those affected are compensated,” said the Chiefs star, expressing his remorse.

In his statement, he also called on people to “obey the speed limit and drive safely and defensively.”

But what does this mean for the pass receiver and his franchise?

Chiefs star faces suspension

With the official verdict now in, it’s up to the NFL to act. It can expedite its disciplinary proceedings against Rice – but it doesn’t have to.

“We have been closely monitoring all developments in this matter, which remains under review,” NFL Vice President of Communications Brian McCarthy told insider Adam Schefter.

How quickly the league acts is at its own discretion. More precisely, at the discretion of Commissioner Roger Goodell. In the past, it has taken varying amounts of time for a decision to be made in similar cases. Some penalties were announced before the start of the season, others only during the season.

A Chiefs player serves as an example of this. Linebacker Willie Gay was suspended for four games in 2022 at the end of September, after the season had already started, for committing property damage during an argument with his son’s mother.

Penalties are at the discretion of the NFL

The severity of the penalties is also unclear. The NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy does not specify how many games a player must be suspended for in certain cases. This is also at the discretion of the NFL boss.

In the past, athletes have repeatedly been suspended for between two and four games after causing an accident, depending on what happened.

However, there have also been significantly harsher penalties. For example, Josh Brent was suspended for ten games in 2014. However, the Dallas Cowboys nose tackle had previously been convicted of manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol.

Brent had caused a car accident while drunk, killing his teammate Jerry Brown. After failing a subsequent drug test, a judge sentenced him to 180 days in jail and ten years’ probation.

Rice fit again after serious injury

Rice, who is lucky that no one was killed in the crash, is likely to receive a significantly lighter punishment.

According to US reporters, the Chiefs expect Rice to be suspended for two to four games. However, the franchise declined to comment on the matter. Observers believe a penalty of between two and six games is possible.

Last season, the wide receiver suffered a serious knee injury that caused him to miss much of the season. However, according to head coach Reid, he is “ready to go” for training camp.

It remains to be seen when and for how many games he will miss in the new season. Xavier Worthy, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Travis Kelce, and Co. should already be preparing for more work. Looking at the schedule – the Los Angeles Chargers, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Baltimore Ravens are among the opponents in the first four weeks – it will be a tough task.