Chiefs' Rashee Rice says jail sentence was 'learning experience' - ESPN

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice says his 30-day jail sentence earlier this year was a «learning experience and a reality check.»

Less than two months after being released from a Dallas County jail, Rice discussed his experience inside the facility for violating the terms of his probation, stemming from his role in a car crash two years ago that left multiple people injured.

«It was a learning experience and a reality check,» Rice said Tuesday in his first public comments since last season. «Don't focus on the past. Focus on what's going on now. I'm doing [well] mentally.

»It was mentally tough. They gave me ways to communicate with my teammates still and as well as my athletic trainer. Besides the hard times in there, I kept my mind right watching shows and as much [of comedian] Kevin Hart as I could to laugh."

Rice, 26, was ordered by the Texas State Attorney's Office on May 19 to go to jail immediately after he tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). While serving his sentence, Rice was allowed to receive treatment on his right knee at Parkland Hospital, a decision that was granted to him by a judge.

A week before entering the jail, Rice underwent surgery to clean up debris in his right knee, which had been causing inflammation.

«I was in there early in the morning until it was time for me to go,» he said. «I would stretch it, do some activation on it and then hit the weight room and jog, just condition and get the muscle fatigue going as well as my stamina.»

When he was released, Rice quickly ran past a handful of reporters and entered a waiting SUV, which whisked him away, a scene that was captured on camera.

Rice acknowledged that the inflammation in his knee impacted his