On Jan. 7, the ex-girlfriend of the Chiefs’ Rashee Rice (and mother of the former couple’s two children) took to social media with a bloody lip and multiple scratches and bruises. Dacota Nichole took aim at the NFL star for what she said was a several-year pattern of both physical and mental abuse, destruction of her home and property, and on-and-off bouts of infidelity.

Rice maintains his innocence, and charges have yet to be filed by Nichole, but all indications are that they will be soon. If so, that also casts a shadow over his previous conviction of a dual-felony traffic incident in which people were hurt, significant damage was caused, and Rice fled the scene. New charges would mean a violation of his probation in that case, and could push his 30-day jail sentence from “anytime within the next five years” to “now” thanks to the violation.

For the NFL’s part, it’s expected that they will wait to see if a court case follows. However, the NFL’s “zero-tolerance” policy has influenced its decisions on second offenses in the past, even without the player being prosecuted (Von Miller, 2014).

Rice, the NFL, and the Chiefs are all currently in a holding pattern to see if charges will be filed. The Chiefs, in particular, will need to take a long look at their troubled superstar sooner than later. Some determination must be made as to whether he is no longer simply a distraction, but rather an actual liability that they cannot afford to count on.

Author: Samwise (@BuyAndSellYou)