Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Kansas City Chiefs Executive Leadership 

Clark Hunt, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Mark Donovan, President

Brett Veach, General Manager

Kansas City Chiefs

1 Arrowhead Drive

Kansas City, MO 64129

Dear Mr. Hunt, Mr. Donovan, and Mr. Veach:

On behalf of the New Tolerance Campaign and thousands of Americans who believe in fairness and responsibility, I am writing to express concern over recent displays of support for Rashee Rice by Kansas City Chiefs players, Travis Kelce and Tyquan Thornton, as well as the accompanying remarks made just one day later by Head Coach Andy Reid.

Mr. Rice’s case is troubling not simply because of the reckless conduct that led to a devastating six-car crash, but because of what happened afterward. Court records and reporting confirm that Mr. Rice was racing his Lamborghini at 119 miles per hour on a Dallas highway when he caused the multi-car collision. Instead of checking on the innocent people he injured, he fled the scene on foot, leaving others to deal with the aftermath. The presiding judge, in sentencing him to five years of probation and thirty days in jail, made clear that this behavior “bothered him” and raised doubts about whether Rice was truly remorseful. Though Rice has since offered words of apology, his personal actions — running away and dodging accountability — spoke louder, especially to the victims and members of the surrounding community.

Even today, Mr. Rice has failed to take responsibility in the most basic way: one of the victim’s attorneys confirmed that he has not paid the $1.1 million settlement owed to his client involved in the crash, citing lack of funds. This demonstrates that he has not even taken financial accountability for the harm he caused, compounding on the pain of those directly impacted by his careless decisions.

Against this backdrop, it is alarming that at least two Chiefs players took to the field wearing “Free 4” apparel, as though the real injustice were Mr. Rice being held accountable, rather than the victims who were injured through no fault of their own. On a video call one day after this pre-game incident, Coach Reid told members of the media, “I know these guys love Rashee, and they feel for him sitting out here… I just think that those guys, they love the kid and want him to feel part of it in their own way.” Empathy for a teammate is understandable, but when paired with public displays that excuse serious misconduct, it risks sending a dangerous message — that talent and fame are a free pass from responsibility.

The Kansas City Chiefs are more than a football team.

You are a cultural institution with millions of fans, many of them young people who look to your players and organization as role models. The message they absorb matters. Do we want them to learn that accountability and responsibility come first, or that reckless behavior can be brushed aside if you wear the right jersey for a successful team?

We respectfully urge the Chiefs to demonstrate real leadership by discouraging fans and banning players from displaying any “Free 4” material for the remainder of Rice’s suspension. We would also appreciate seeing a clear statement of support for the victims of this crash and encouraging Mr. Rice to take meaningful restorative actions that go beyond the bare minimum required by law. Such steps would quickly reaffirm that the Kansas City Chiefs stand for integrity, not excuses, and that no one — no matter how talented — is above accountability.

The legacy of your franchise is built not only on victories but also on the respect of your stated values: “Win with Character, Unite our Community, Inspire our Fans, and Honor Tradition.” This is a moment to show that the Chiefs’ commitment to character is as strong as their commitment to winning another NFL championship.

Sincerely,

Chad A. Banghart
President
New Tolerance Campaign

P.S. It is worth underscoring that the New Tolerance Campaign has publicly supported members of your organization before. When your starting kicker Harrison Butker was attacked for delivering a commencement speech rooted in his Catholic faith, we stood with him and defended his right to express his beliefs without intimidation or censorship. Our commitment is not to target the Chiefs, but to hold all institutions, including the NFL, to the same standard of fairness and integrity — whether that means protecting free expression or demanding accountability for the celebration of reckless harm.