Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is now cooperating with authorities two days after his alleged involvement in a six-car crash that was caused by illegal street racing on Saturday evening in Dallas, Texas. As his legal process unfolds, the NFL receiver is now facing criticism from two football legends.

Rice, age 23, is a Texas native who was back near his alma mater Southern Methodist University this offseason. On Saturday, a Lamborghini registered under his name was traveling at a high rate of speed when it lost control and crashed into multiple vehicles. Shortly after the accident, the men inside the crashed Lamborghini and Corvette left the scene, never calling emergency services nor checking on the victims of the crash.

Retails: Details on Rashee Rice’s car accident in Dallas

Kelli Smith of the Dallas Morning News reported that as of Monday afternoon, Dallas police had still not conducted interviews with those potentially involved in the crash. However, a police call sheet listed Rice as the suspected driver of the Lamborghini.

During an appearance on Fox Sports 1′ Undisputed Keyshawn Johnson addressed Rice’s situation, revealing that he has tried to communicate with him since the crash but his text went unanswered because it “was not nice.” He also admitted that the Chiefs’ receiver had some off-field concerns heading into the 2023 NFL Draft.

“I know him and he’s old enough to know better. So I’m pissed at him. I’ve already text him and he won’t respond to me because my text was not nice. Tried to get him to understand the life that [he] was getting ready to start. Coming out of SMU he had a little red flag here, a little red flag there. He wasn’t the squeakiest, cleanest guy going, which is why he fell to the second round. But I am genuinely mad at him because he knows better, and I know he knows better. I hope somebody stole his car. I have no idea, but if he’s involved in it, it’s the stupidest that he could have ever been involved in. All you gotta do is look at Henry Ruggs!”

Keyshawn Johnson on Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice

Also Read: 2024 NFL Draft order, picks by team

On Monday, Rice’s lawyer released a statement stating that the wide receiver is “cooperating with local authorities and will take all necessary steps to address the situation responsibly.” It did not provide any details on whether or not he was driving the car, nor why he allegedly left the scene of the crash.

  • Rashee Rice contract: $1.476 million cap hit in 2025, $1.771 million cap hit in 2025, $2.066 million cap hit in 2026

Johnson isn’t the only NFL legend to publicly criticize Rice. On the “Nightcap“, former wide receiver Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson highlighted the number of examples that should demonstrate to athletes why they have to stop being so reckless. That’s when Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe cut off his co-host, reminding him that they are called haters for trying to warn young athletes about reckless decisions then Sharpe brought up that Rice seemingly failed to learn from the mistakes that put Henry Ruggs in jail after his DUI crash resulted in the death of 23-year-old Tina Tintor in Las Vegas.

Also Read: See the inspirational story of 2024 NFL Draft prospect Ray Davis

“When we try to tell them, ‘We hatin’. Shanoon, you done live your life, let that man live his life. You see Ocho, a wise man will learn from other’s mistakes and a fool must learn from his own. Did you not just see Henry Ruggs get 11 years? But that ain’t enough.”

Shannnon Sharpe on Rashee Rice

As for potential discipline from the NFL, the league will likely not act until law enforcement completes its investigation though Rice could be placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt list. Considering there were only minor injuries, it’s not confirmed that Rice was the driver and the NFL Players Association will fight any suspension length, Rice will likely in a majority of games for the Chiefs next season.