BREAKING: Georgia Bulldogs Taking Shocking Action To Deal With Traffic-Related Arrests With Football Players
The Georgia Bulldogs have excelled on the field under head coach Kirby Smart, but their off-field issues have been significant.
Since January 2022, over ten Bulldogs players have been arrested. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, during Smart’s seven-year tenure, 11 players have faced accusations of some form of abuse. Incoming freshman defensive tackle Jamaal Jarrett was investigated but not charged in connection with a sexual assault claim from when he was 16 years old, during a visit to Georgia. Jarrett reportedly missed curfew and had been drinking that night. Former linebacker Adam Anderson, charged in connection with separate rape incidents, entered a plea deal in July, reducing two felony rape charges to misdemeanor sexual battery with a maximum of 12 months of jail time.
Driving offenses have also plagued the team under Smart, with over 300 incidents reported. Notably, a tragic car crash involving Jalen Carter, cited for reckless driving and “drag racing,” resulted in the deaths of UGA recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy and offensive lineman Devin Willock. LeCroy’s blood alcohol level was .197 at the time of the crash. In March, Georgia Bulldogs running back Trevor Etienne was arrested for DUI and reckless driving, likely leading to a one-game suspension for the season opener against Clemson. Georgia has mentioned “consequences,” but historically, actual repercussions have been minimal.
In the past, players arrested on similar charges have been suspended for games, but Smart typically doesn’t confirm these suspensions until after the games have been played.
Georgia Bulldogs Taking Massive Amounts Of NIL Money Away From Players Involved In Traffic Arrests
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, members of the UGA football program have been charged with DUI, reckless driving, or speeding 24 times in the 18 months since the January 2023 car crash that killed player Devin Willock and staff member Chandler LeCroy. The crash was attributed to excessive speed, racing, and alcohol.
In response to concerns, coach Kirby Smart stated that the Classic City NIL Collective has been fining players involved in traffic-related incidents. This marks one of the first public acknowledgments of these fines. Smart described this strategy as a creative approach to addressing the troubling trend. According to On3’s Dawgs HQ, Smart said, “Our Classic City Collective for over a year has been substantially fining guys for those things. That’s not something that’s new. That’s something that’s been ongoing outside of my jurisdiction that they decided to implement and have done for a considerable amount.”
Matt Hibbs, the founder and CEO of Classic City, clarified to On3 that the collective does not fine Georgia football players but withholds or deducts scheduled payments for players charged with car-related incidents. This penalty is part of the agreement signed between the athlete and the collective. Hibbs emphasized that athletes are not fined, as they are not considered employees. The withholding of payments was decided after discussions between Smart and Hibbs to address the ongoing issues.
Hibbs revealed that the collective has withheld approximately six figures over the last two years but did not provide a more specific amount. This approach indicates that the Georgia Bulldogs are taking serious measures to improve their off-field image and address the problem.