A previously unreported SMU incident could impact Rashee Rice’s NFL discipline

The recent incident involving Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice has prompted some media outlets to dust off pre-draft reports from anonymous scouts who had expressed negative opinions about Rice. However, the fact that these opinions have been confirmed by recent events does not make it right to burden players with the subjective beliefs of those who could benefit from a player repeatedly slipping up in the draft.

However, there are certain objective facts that were made known to teams – and that were not publicly revealed before the draft. These facts could impact how the NFL handles its current entanglements.

According to multiple sources, several teams learned of an alleged incident involving Rice during his time at SMU during the pre-draft process. Rice believed that former SMU basketball player Kendric Davis was seeing Rice’s girlfriend. According to the specific information gathered by at least one team, Rice and some of his friends went to an SMU basketball game. According to specific information collected by at least one team, Rice (or someone with him) fired several bullets into Kendric Davis’ empty car.

Multiple sources expressed the belief that every team, including the Chiefs, knew about the incident before the draft. Kansas City drafted Rice in the second round. He was the fifty-fifth overall selection.

The incident was never reported to SMU authorities. (An SMU spokesperson did not comment on the situation.)

Rice is currently charged with eight felonies in connection with a street racing incident in late March. Earlier this week, he was charged with assault at a Dallas-area after-hours club.

The incident could become relevant to the NFL if it imposes discipline on Rice under its personal conduct policy. The policy states that “(p)layers with a history of misconduct, including misconduct committed prior to their association with the NFL, will be subject to enhanced and/or expedited discipline.”

Rice had 938 receiving yards in 2023. The Chiefs, we’re told, were very impressed with his ability to quickly learn the offense and find a way to make a significant contribution in his first NFL season. They are obviously hoping his behavior off the field will improve after the two recent events.