Rodarius “Rara” Thomas will be absent from the Georgia football squad for the foreseeable future. The Bulldogs’ wide receiver was suspended indefinitely after being booked into jail at 3:20 a.m. Friday, according to Athens-Clarke County Jail records.
Thomas was arrested for cruelty to children and violence. He’s being held without bail.
Thomas’ arrest is the latest in a succession of legal difficulties facing players of the powerhouse collegiate football team in recent months.
This is Thomas’ second arrest in the last 18 months. In January 2023, University of Georgia Police arrested the wide receiver on a felony charge of false imprisonment and a misdemeanour count of family violence battery.
Georgia wide receiver Rara Thomas was arrested early Friday, July 26, 2024, in Athens, Ga., on allegations of child cruelty and violence, adding to the team’s recent legal difficulties. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File.)
Thomas later attended a pretrial diversion program, and the charges were withdrawn. Information about Friday’s arrest was not immediately available.
According to Georgia Athletic Association spokesperson Steven Drummond, the case concerning Thomas is a “pending legal matter.” We will have no additional comments at this time.”
Georgia football coach Kirby Smart addressed during Southeastern Conference media days on July 16 about efforts to address his players’ frequent driving offences.
Smart stated that players had been punished and fined via the collective that gives name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation to the school’s athletes. Smart’s policy is not to make public pronouncements when a player is suspended.
“I don’t necessarily think it’s right to go down to the town square and publicly shame kids,” Smart said during SEC media days earlier this month. “When this occurs, they go through a lot. And there is a lot of remorse among these young men who committed mistakes. But our job is to educate. Continue to develop these young men.
A team spokesman confirmed Thomas’ suspension.
The Bulldogs’ season begins Aug. 31 in Atlanta against the Clemson Tigers.
According to The Atlanta-Journal Constitution, Georgia athletes have been engaged in 24 driving-related incidents (DUI, reckless driving, or speeding), including a fatal crash involving a player and a recruiting assistant in January 2023.
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