Falcons’ James Pearce Jr. Suspended 8 Games After NFL Determines Domestic Abuse Wasn’t Violent Enough

ATLANTA—Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. has been suspended by the NFL for eight games due to violating the league’s personal conduct policy for failing to inflict enough physical damage during domestic violence incident, Roger Goodell announced Monday afternoon.

The league said in a statement that they are disappointed in Pearce’s actions. “The NFL has a well-established standard when it comes to domestic violence. We know the suspension is harsh, but we had to send a message. Half-assed physical abuse against women will not be tolerated.”

According to reports, Pearce, 22, used his car to repeatedly ram into a vehicle driven by his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson, in an alleged effort to stop her from reaching a police station after a domestic dispute in Doral, Florida. He then fled the scene before physically confronting the victim.

And that’s why the NFL had to act.

Goodell said that while he was impressed by Pearce’s passion for abusing women, his efficacy is what necessitated disciplinary action. “The NFL has a long and storied history of incredible woman abusers. Ray Rice beat the shit out of his fiancé’ in an elevator. Tyreek Hill punched his pregnant girlfriend, right in her tummy. Those are the types of efforts we expect from our players. James Pearce Jr. ramming his ex-girlfriend’s car with his vehicle was a good thought, but he quit on the play. She was right there, and in the big moment, he failed to put his hands on her. It’s flat unacceptable.”

Pearce Jr. defended himself against the NFL’s charges. “I had every intention to get out of my car and lay the smack down on her, but I’m ashamed to admit, I got scared. I mean, Rickea is a WNBA player. She’s a big broad. She could start on the Carolina Panthers D-Line right now.”

At press time, Pearce Jr. had entered the NFL’s mandated Batterer Intervention Program, spanning 26 weeks of weekly group counseling sessions focused strictly on personal accountability, intimidation tactics and kung-fu lessons.