Georgia wide receiver Rodarius “Rara” Thomas was arrested in Athens on Friday, facing multiple felony charges. This incident is the latest in a series of legal troubles for players in the football program.
Thomas has been charged with three counts of family violence battery and three counts of second-degree cruelty to children, according to Fox 5 in Atlanta. The details leading to his arrest have not been disclosed.
Following his arrest, Thomas has been suspended indefinitely from Georgia’s football team. The athletic department stated, “This is a pending legal matter. We will have no further comment at this point,” according to the Associated Press.
Last year, Thomas was arrested on one felony charge of false imprisonment and one misdemeanor count of family violence battery. These charges were dropped after he completed a pretrial diversion program. During the previous season, Thomas caught 23 passes for 383 yards and scored one touchdown for the Bulldogs.
Georgia’s football program has faced numerous legal issues, mainly related to driving offenses, since last year. Following a tragic car accident that resulted in the death of team staffer and offensive lineman Devin Willock, the program has seen 25 arrests or citations for speeding, racing, or reckless driving.
Head coach Kirby Smart addressed these issues at SEC media days, saying, “The incidents that we’ve had off the field are not something that we condone. It’s very unfortunate and disappointing. We try not to base things on outcomes, but in this situation, the outcomes are very disappointing.”
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