Rickea Jackson, 'in fear of my life,' filed for protective order vs. James Pearce Jr. - ESPN

WNBA player Rickea Jackson filed a petition for protection against her ex-boyfriend, Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr., saying that she was «in fear of my life» and that if the court didn't intervene she believed «James will kill me,» according to court documents obtained by ESPN.

Jackson, who plays for the Los Angeles Sparks, filed the petition for injunction for protection against dating violence in the days following Pearce's arrest on battery and stalking charges, after he allegedly rammed his car into hers Feb. 7. Jackson separately filed notice with the court that she was willing to testify in proceedings against Pearce.

The court granted her initial request for protection, and a permanent injunction hearing is set for April 21. Pearce is under order not to have contact with Jackson or come within 500 feet of her home or place of employment or 100 feet from her vehicle.

Jackson wrote that Pearce «verbally and physically abused me on more than one occasion» and threatened to kill, harm and injure her and to place a bag over her head, according to the court filing.

Jackson also detailed the Feb. 7 incident that led to Pearce's arrest, saying that she saw Pearce following her in his vehicle as she drove home and that she called 911 and instead drove to a Doral, Florida, police station «because I knew James was going to hurt me.» She said Pearce chased after her at high speeds and blocked her with his car at a traffic light, trying to enter her car and jumping on top of the vehicle.

She said he then reentered his vehicle and chased her car, striking her car multiple times to get her to spin out. She said he cut her off with his vehicle and eventually spun out himself. She said Pearce ran her off the road