NFL suspends Atlanta Falcons player James Pearce eight games over domestic violence arrest

The NFL handed down its punishment of Atlanta Falcons player James Pearce Jr. on Friday, suspending the former first-round pick for the first eight games of the season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

His suspension begins on Aug. 30, and while he is eligible to participate in preseason activity for the team, he won’t be eligible to play his first game of the season until November.

Pearce was arrested in February after allegedly using a car to run into a vehicle driven by his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson, who was attempting to reach a police station in Doral, Florida. Officers responded to Jackson’s 911 call, and Pearce fled the scene, later crashing his vehicle. He was charged with multiple felonies, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, as well as resisting arrest.

In May, Pearce entered a pretrial intervention program in which he agreed to several conditions. If he avoids any legal trouble, passes random drug tests and stays away from Jackson, all of his charges will be dismissed.

Pearce opted not to appeal his suspension and the decision is final, per the league office.

Yale Sanford, Pearce’s attorney, told The Athletic in April that his client has “taken responsibility for his mental health” following the alleged incident with Jackson and had full confidence that he would complete the pretrial program.

“His eyes have been opened, and he will continue to learn and grow and be a better person,” Sanford said. “He understands the ramifications of what just occurred. He knows what was on the line here. As a human being, he understands that he’s in a much better place.”