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James Pearce Jr., a rising Atlanta Falcons star who nearly won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award, was arrested near Miami on Saturday after allegedly fleeing from officers and crashing his car following what police said was a domestic dispute with his WNBA girlfriend.
Pearce was booked into the Turner Guilford Correctional Center after Doral police were called to investigate a domestic dispute between a man and a woman.
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Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. is interviewed after the New Orleans Saints game on Jan. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
The 22-year-old faces charges of two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, as well as aggravated stalking and fleeing or eluding police with lights or sirens.
The Falcons said they were aware of the arrest.
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Atlanta Falcons forward James Pearce Jr. reacts after a defensive stop against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Nov. 16, 2025. (Brett Davis/Image Images)
“We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr. in Miami,” the Falcons said in a statement. “We are in the process of gathering more information and will not be commenting further on an open legal matter at this time.”
Atlanta selected Pearce with the 26th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Tennessee.
He played in 17 games for the Falcons during his rookie season. He had 10.5 sacks and 26 total tackles.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 21, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
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Pearce finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting behind winner Carson Schwesinger of the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori.
