Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice announced a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing this week, reporting roughly $3.45 million in debts. The filing comes as Rice, still on his rookie contract worth about $6.5 million over four years, faces ongoing criminal charges and civil lawsuits.
Carton calls out lack of teammate assistance
OutKick host Craig Carton discussed the development on his Friday show, expressing sympathy for Rice while condemning the apparent absence of financial aid from fellow players. “He’s still on that rookie contract, right? Four years, about $6.5 million, and it’s all gone, and now he had to make the humbling decision to publicly file for bankruptcy. That sucks having to do that. I get no joy out of that — I actually feel bad for Rashee Rice,” Carton said.
Carton continued, “I’m not one of these guys that gloats and likes watching the downfall of athletes financially, but it pisses me off because he is surrounded by multi‑millionaires. Guys that we keep getting told are like family to him, that are brothers to him, that cared so much about him two years ago when he had that ludicrous car accident.”
Team solidarity questioned
Carton highlighted the Chiefs’ earlier public support, noting that many players wore “Free No. 4” shirts while Rice faced legal challenges. He asked, “That’s solidarity with a teammate and the public be damned; ‘We know he did something wrong, but we have his back.’ Well, where are you today?”
He clarified his stance, stating, “It’s not their responsibility to bail him out financially. I’m not saying it is, but it’s what a friend would do. It’s what a brother would do if you had the available funds yourself to help him out.”
No official team response yet
As of this writing, the Chiefs organization has not issued a public comment on Rice’s bankruptcy filing or Carton’s remarks. The team’s internal policies on player financial assistance remain private, and no other players have publicly addressed the situation.
Rashee Rice’s legal matters, including the pending criminal and civil cases, continue to unfold. The bankruptcy filing may provide a legal avenue for managing his debts, but it also underscores the financial pressures that can accompany a professional athlete’s career, especially when off‑field issues arise.
What this means for fans
Chiefs supporters are divided. Some express empathy for Rice’s personal struggles, while others echo Carton’s call for greater teammate solidarity. The episode adds another layer to the ongoing conversation about how professional sports teams support players facing personal and legal difficulties.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
