The Kansas City Chiefs were criticized for wearing shirts that showed support for Rashee Rice prior to Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, and one of the victims of Rice’s infamous hit-and-run is not pleased.
Travis Kelce and wide receiver Tyquan Thornton were among a handful of Chiefs players who wore T-shirts that read “Free 4” across the front and featured photos of Rice. The shirts were a show of solidarity for Rice, who is currently serving a six-game suspension for his role in causing a multi-car crash in March 2024. The star wideout was sentenced last month to five years of probation and 30 days of jail time.
Marc Lenahan, a lawyer representing one of the people who was injured in the crash, unloaded on Kelce and Chiefs players. Lenahan, who represents Kathryn Kuykendall, took a shot at Kelce while speaking with TMZ.
“I respect that Kelce and (Tyquan) Thornton support their teammate, but the ‘gym teacher’ needs to talk with the history teacher,” Lenahan said.
Lenahan was making a reference to the way Kelce and Taylor Swift announced their engagement.
“Rashee isn’t Nelson Mandela or Pepe Mujica, men who fought for what they believed in. There is evidence that Rashee was going 119 mph in a $1,749-per-day Lambo rental that had pot and a pistol in it, on a highway on Easter weekend,” Lenahan said. “Free Rashee? He already thinks he’s getting away scot-free. He’s not paid a single cent of the $1.1 million judgment he already owes our client, who is living anything but pain-free.”
Lenahan added that Kelce and Thornton should loan Rice the money to pay his victims if they truly believe in their teammate. The lawyer also urged Chiefs player to be “better role models.”
Rice was accused of recklessly driving a Lamborghini down a freeway at 119 mph when he lost control while racing another driver in a Corvette. The two cars caused a crash that affected six other vehicles and injured four people. The drivers of the two sports cars both fled the scene (video footage here).
Given all the backlash they faced, it would be a surprise if we see Chiefs players wearing the shirts again in Week 3.
