Chiefs’ Rashee Rice ‘completely changed’ as he awaits possible suspension

Rashee Rice claims to be “completely changed.”

As the Chiefs’ wide receiver awaits a potential suspension by the NFL over his conviction from a car crash last year, he says he’s learned from the past.

The Chiefs receiver pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony charges stemming from a multi-car, high-speed accident in Texas in March 2024. 

He was sentenced in July to 30 days in prison to be served at any point during a five-year probation period by a Dallas County judge.

The 25-year-old Rice said Saturday a potential suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy is “still in the works,” but his legal team is “handling” those discussions with the NFL.

“I completely changed,” Rice said at Chiefs training camp. “Honestly, you have to learn from things like that. So I’ve learned, and I’ve taken advantage of being able to learn from something like that.

“All I can do is focus on what I can control right now, and that’s me doing what I do best right here on the field.”

The former second-round pick appeared in only four games for Kansas City last season due to a knee injury after posting 79 catches for 938 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie in 2023.

Rice had said last month in a statement that he experienced “a lot of sleepless nights” after the five-car pileup on North Central Expressway in Dallas, which left two people hospitalized and two others injured. 

Rice reportedly left the scene of the accident on foot before police arrived.

Asked on Saturday what he has learned since the incident, Rice added, “Just how valuable any opportunity is and any moment is. This right here, us being able to be on the field and be able to be coached by Coach [Andy] Reid and have such a great quarterback, it’s honestly a gift. It’s a blessing.”

NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said last month that the league has been “closely monitoring all developments in the matter,” which remains under review.

“This is my job, and this is what I love to do,” Rice said. “Even when I’m not able to be out there with my team, I’m still going to be working as hard as I can, so I can be back out there with them as soon as possible.”