Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice was released from jail Tuesday and he made a mad dash, running away from reporters as they peppered him with questions.
Video from KDFW showed the NFL star walking backward inside the jail, then smiling as he made a run for it out the door.
Rice was freed after completing a 30-day sentence for violating probation. The violation stemmed from his involvement in a car crash on a Texas highway that injured multiple individuals.
The 26-year-old was booked on May 19 after testing positive for THC.
Prior to his sentencing, Rice underwent surgery to address inflammation in his right knee. A judge granted his lawyers’ request for him to receive treatment at Parkland Hospital while serving his time.
Rice’s absence meant he missed all of the Chiefs’ voluntary offseason workouts and their mandatory minicamp. However, Chiefs coach Andy Reid recently stated his expectation for Rice to report to training camp in late July.
“(Chiefs trainer) Rick (Burkholder) has talked to him more than what I have,” Reid said, adding, “just making sure that everything was set there where he could do some rehab with it and still do the time that he needed to take care of. So he’s on top of that, and thank goodness that they’re allowing him to do that. So, they’ve been great with that.”
The Chiefs are relying on Rice to bolster an offense that struggled during their 6-11 finish last season. While valuable when available, with 156 catches for 1,797 yards and 14 touchdowns, contributing to their 2023 Super Bowl win, he has also missed games due to suspensions and injuries, playing only 28 games in three seasons.
Reid emphasized the path forward, stating during voluntary workouts, “We’re moving forward as normal as we go here. When he gets back, we’ve got to get him caught up in doing what he needs to do, and make sure he gets it. It’s not an easy thing he’s going through.”
He concluded, “Life lessons are important, but we’re all given chances to learn, and he’s in that position now.”
