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Craig Carton rips Chiefs teammates for not helping embattled Rashee Rice avoid bankruptcy
Craig Carton criticised Kansas City Chiefs players for not helping teammate Rashee Rice after he filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, reporting $3.45 million in debts. Carton said he felt sympathy for Rice but questioned why teammates who had publicly shown solidarity with him had not offered financial support.
Rice is still on his rookie contract, which Carton described as worth about $6.5 million over four years, and he has reported that the money is gone. Carton referred to Chiefs players wearing “Free No. 4” shirts when Rice faced criminal charges and civil lawsuits, some of which remain pending. He stressed that teammates were not obliged to bail Rice out, but argued that a friend or brother with available funds might help.
In short
- Rashee Rice filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy with $3.45 million in reported debts.
- Craig Carton questioned why wealthy Chiefs teammates had not helped him.
- Carton said financial help was not their responsibility.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Carton’s criticism rests on the idea that public displays of solidarity carry a responsibility to offer practical help when a teammate faces severe hardship. If some players have the means and regard Rice as a friend, financial support or guidance could reflect the loyalty their shirts appeared to express, especially while he is still early in his career.
The case against
Teammates can sincerely support Rice without taking responsibility for his debts or paying them from their own resources. His financial and legal circumstances are personal, and the public does not know what help has been offered privately or what boundaries, advice or other support his teammates may consider appropriate.