Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) passes the ball to Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports Rashee Rice remains under construction.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ second-year wide receiver said in his first public comments since a six-car crash on March 30 that he’s focusing on being a better person by building a support system of people who want him to succeed. That includes his quarterback, Patrick Mahomes.
“He’s been very important. He’s there for me whenever I need him on or off the field,” Rice said. “He’s only a call away, and he’s always going to pick up my call.”
Rice declined to comment on the legal matters related to the car accident and wouldn’t confirm reports that he met with the NFL about a possible suspension for his off-field conduct.
“The main thing for me is being able to be the best person I can be for my team so we can all come together and dominate,” Rice said. “Just continue to surround myself with people that I want to be like and just continue to surround myself with people that allow me to grow.”
Rice turned himself in to police several days after the accident in Dallas that left seven people with injuries, including at least one woman who sustained “serious bodily injury” and another who was stranded on the highway with her 4-year-old son for about five hours after the crash. Rice faces one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision involving injury for his involvement. Police said Rice was going as fast as 119 mph on a Dallas freeway.
“It’s still a legal process. My (legal) team is handling that,” Rice said Tuesday.
A second-round pick in 2023, Rice set the Chiefs’ rookie record for receiving touchdowns (seven) and receptions (79) last season. He added 26 catches in the playoffs.
Rice recorded the second-most receiving yards by a rookie in Chiefs history (938), trailing only Dwayne Bowe (995).
But the process of maturing on the field is also ongoing for Rice, who has been a headliner in camp with his quickness and speed rattling defenders. He’s joined in the wide receiver corps by newcomers Hollywood Brown and rookie first-round pick Xavier Worthy.
“We’re electric,” Rice said with a smile. “We’re looking forward to putting on a show. We’re ready to go out there and have fun with each other… We got football speed and real speed, but we all got speed.”
–Field Level Media
