WNBA star and NFL first-round pick hard launch surprise relationship at draft party

A surprising move in the NFL Draft led to one WNBA star ‘hard-launching’ her relationship with one of the newest members of the Atlanta Falcons.

Late in the proceedings in last night’s first round, the Falcons traded up with the Los Angeles Rams to acquire the 26th overall pick.

With that selection, they picked linebacker James Pearce Jr. out of the University of Tennessee.

As cameras cut to the celebration scene at Pearce’s home, fans noticed that sitting beside him was Los Angeles Sparks star Rickea Jackson.

Moreover, Jackson was seen with her hand on Pearce’s thigh as family and friends clapped and celebrated.

Pearce then eventually wrapped his arms around Jackson in a hug that all but confirmed their relationship.

When James Pearce (center) was picked by the Falcons, he was seen alongside WNBA star Rickea Jackson in what appeared to be confirmation they were in a relationship

Jackson, who had a strong rookie season in LA, joked about having a ‘doppelganger’

The Falcons traded up to the 26th pick in order to take Pearce out of Tennessee

It’s seen as a ‘hard launch’ – the reveal of two people being in a relationship – because Jackson and Pearce had not been public about their dating before. This is opposed to a ‘soft launch’, where someone would try and vaguely show that they’re in a relationship without revealing the identity of their partner. 

Jackson had some fun with the reveal, posting on X, ‘Soooo I have a doppelganger. Wow.’ 

Like Pearce, Jackson also attended Tennessee where she finished out her college career before being picked fourth overall by the Sparks in the 2024 WNBA Draft.

In her rookie campaign, Jackson averaged 13.4 points (second on the team), with 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

Pearce, meanwhile, had a total of 71 combined tackles, 30 tackles for a loss, and 19.5 sacks across his entire career at Tennessee.

His addition should be a boost to a Falcons defense that managed only 31 sacks last season – the second-worst mark in the NFL.