We finally know what James Pearce Jr.’s suspension will look like after he was charged with a variety of felonies connected to alleged stalking and threats against his former partner, NBA star Rickea Jackson.
The league minimum suspension for violence against women and children was set several years ago, post-Ray Rice. to six games. The NFL has issued Pearce an eight-game suspension.
Pearce is free to participate in the remainder of training camp and the preseason. Prior to the regular season, he will be moved to the commissioner’s exempt list, opening up a roster spot for those eight weeks.
Pearce was able to plea down his charges and must complete a diversion program in lieu of other consequences. I am unaware of the specifics of Pearce’s program or Florida’s process, but in Georgia the program often includes the completion of a treatment program and counseling and community service as basic elements.
When a player is suspended, they forfeit game checks for each week they aren’t permitted to play, and they are not permitted to be at the facility or around their coaches and teammates.
Everyone deserves the chance to learn and grow from their mistakes, including JPJ. Honestly, between the diversion program and the eight games, he’s still getting off light considering how horrifying the accusations and the confirmed instances of harassment and stalking are. I truly hope he takes this opportunity and his time away from the game to work on becoming a better version of himself.