Georgia wide receiver Rodarius “Rara” Thomas was taken into custody early Friday on allegations of cruelty to children and battery, adding to a string of legal troubles within the team. Records from the Athens-Clarke County jail reveal that Thomas was arrested at 3:20 a.m. on felony charges of cruelty to children and misdemeanor battery. As of late Friday morning, bail had not been established.
This marks Thomas’ second arrest in two years, with a previous incident occurring when he was arrested by University of Georgia police on January 23, 2023, on a felony charge of false imprisonment and a misdemeanor count of family violence battery. However, those charges were eventually dismissed. The latest charges against Thomas, involving family violence offenses, have not yet been detailed, and it remains unclear whether he has legal representation.
In response to the situation, Georgia’s executive associate athletic director for strategic communications, Steven Drummond, provided a statement to The Associated Press stating that “this is a pending legal matter,” and no further comments will be made at this time. Head coach Kirby Smart addressed concerns about his players’ repeated driving offenses during the Southeastern Conference media days on July 16.
Smart mentioned that players have faced suspensions and fines related to driving violations through the entity that oversees name, image, and likeness payments to the school’s athletes. Reports indicate that Georgia players have been linked to 24 driving-related infractions, including DUIs, reckless driving, and speeding. Unfortunately, one of these incidents resulted in a tragic car accident in January 2023, claiming the lives of offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy.
Smart expressed disappointment over the off-field incidents, emphasizing that such behavior is not endorsed by the team. The repercussions of the recent events have put a spotlight on player behavior off the field within the Georgia football program.
