Rashee Rice played a crucial role for the Kansas City Chiefs in their season-opening win over the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night.

The SMU product led Kansas City’s offense with seven receptions and 103 receiving yards.

However, some questioned why Rice was even on the field given his turbulent off-season.

Rice turned himself in to authorities and was booked into a DeSoto jail in April, more than a week after he was involved in a high-speed, multi-vehicle crash on a Dallas freeway. Rice, 23, is charged with one count of crash causing serious bodily injury and six counts of crash causing injury, police said. He is also charged with aggravated assault, which is the most serious charge filed in the crash, according to attorneys not involved in the case.

Additionally, he was involved in an alleged incident in May with a photographer, also in Dallas. However, no charges have been filed against Rice.

The NFL has decided not to take any action against Rice at this time, saying the league wants to complete the wide receiver’s legal process before imposing any suspensions.

While waiting to hear whether he would be punished, Rice participated in every offseason workout with the Chiefs. Commissioner Roger Goodell commented on the situation ahead of the 2024 NFL draft, reiterating the league’s position that the NFL will allow the legal process to play out before making any decisions.

Rice was selected by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2023 draft. He was one of the league’s most productive rookie receivers last season, catching 79 passes for 938 yards and seven touchdowns.

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