The NFL is investigating domestic violence allegations made against Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice.
An Instagram account appearing to belong to Rice’s ex-girlfriend posted photos of injuries and alleged years of abuse.
The NFL’s personal conduct policy allows for discipline even without criminal charges being filed.
Rice could face a baseline suspension of six games if found to have violated the policy regarding domestic violence.
The NFL is investigating domestic violence allegations made against Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice, who could face discipline from the league regardless of whether his ex-girlfriend pursues a legal case.
On Jan. 7, an Instagram account appearing to belong to Rice’s ex-girlfriend with whom he has two children shared photos of herself with a bloody lip as well as several scratches and bruises on her face and body. The post also contained photos of damage to walls, a closet and cabinets.
In the caption, the woman alleged that she was physically and verbally abused for years, including while she was pregnant. She did not name Rice directly.
“I’ve protected his image too long and I’m done doing that,” she wrote. “It’s time to protect my peace, protect my children and stand up for myself.”
The account, which first posted in 2022, uses the name of Rice’s ex-partner and previously posted a photo with Rice at a Chiefs game.
It is unclear whether Rice’s ex-girlfriend has filed a police report associated with the allegations. Police in Overland Park, Kansas told USA TODAY that they responded to a call at Rice’s home in 2024 but that no abuse report was filed. The Dallas Police Department, where Rice previously lived, told USA TODAY, “It is not our practice to look up individuals by name.”
That won’t stop the NFL from investigating.
In a statement provided to USA TODAY on Jan. 8, an NFL spokesman said, “We have been in contact with the club about the matter which will be reviewed under the league’s personal conduct policy.”
What the NFL’s personal conduct policy says
According to the 2025 personal conduct policy, NFL players will be subject to discipline by the league even if their conduct does not result in criminal charges or a conviction.
Violations of the policy include actual or threatened physical violence, or any behavior that poses a genuine danger to the safety and well-being of another person.
“Whenever the league office becomes aware of a possible violation of the Policy, it will undertake an investigation, the timing and scope of which will be based upon the particular circumstances of the matter,” the policy says. “Any such investigation may be conducted by league office personnel, independent parties, or a combination of the two. In cases that are also being investigated by law enforcement officials, the league will continue its separate investigation, and will work to cooperate with law enforcement to avoid any conflict or interference with the law enforcement proceedings.”
During an investigation, the league will sometimes place a player on the Commissioner Exempt List, a form of paid leave. The player has three business days to appeal that placement, either on his own or through the NFLPA. Because the Chiefs’ 2025 season is already over, this is unlikely to happen to Rice.
The NFL attempts to contact those identified as potential victims as part of its investigation, though the league does not have subpoena power and cannot force cooperation from people who aren’t players or league employees. Sometimes, waiting for the legal process to play out can extend the league’s investigation.
When the NFL begins an investigation, the NFL Players Association is also notified. Players can choose to have a union representative with them when being interviewed by league investigators.
An NFLPA spokesperson told USA TODAY that the union is aware of the allegations against Rice and declined further comment.
How will the NFL decide a potential punishment for Rashee Rice?
Players who commit violations that involve domestic violence, felony criminal assault or family violence are subject to a baseline unpaid suspension of six games. A longer suspension is possible if there are aggravating factors such as violence that involves repeated striking or that is committed, “against a particularly vulnerable person, such as a child, a pregnant woman, or an elderly person, or where the act is committed in the presence of a child.”
A suspension can be reduced if the player takes prompt responsibility, receives clinical help or pays restitution to the victim.
At the conclusion of the NFL’s investigation, the league will notify a player of potential violations and propose a punishment that may include a suspension and a possible fine. The player can attempt to negotiate a settlement and propose a different punishment.
If the two sides cannot agree, the decision power goes to a disciplinary officer who is jointly selected (and paid) by the NFL and the players association. That’s only happened once: When former federal judge Sue L. Robinson suspended Deshaun Watson in 2022 due to numerous allegations of sexual misconduct.
Either the league or the player (through the NFLPA) can appeal the disciplinary officer’s decision to Commissioner Roger Goodell or someone he appoints. Robinson initially suspended Watson for six games, but the NFL appealed for a harsher punishment and the league and union agreed on an 11-game suspension and $5 million fine.
The personal conduct policy says that discipline will consider a player’s prior history of misconduct, both during and prior to his NFL career.
How the NFL handles similar player investigations
The allegations against Rice follow multiple recent allegations against other NFL players that have sparked ongoing investigations.
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs is set to play in the Patriots’ playoff game on Sunday while facing felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from an alleged altercation with his personal chef on Dec. 2. On Jan. 9, Diggs had his arraignment postponed from Jan. 23 until Feb. 13, five days after the Super Bowl.
The Patriots and the Commanders issued separate statements acknowledging the incidents and said they informed the NFL league office.
There’s no telling how long the league’s current investigation into Rice could take.
The car crash Rice was involved in happened in March 2024, and the league did not announce Rice’s suspension until late August of that year.
It took more than two years after the first civil lawsuit was filed against Watson for Robinson to suspend the quarterback after determine that he violated the league’s personal conduct policy.
In the case of former NFL kicker Justin Tucker, who was accused of inappropriate sexual behavior by 16 massage therapists in a story first publicly reported in January 2025, it took more than three months for the Baltimore Ravens to release Tucker and an additional seven weeks for the league to announce his 10-week paid suspension. No criminal charges were ever filed against Tucker.