The Athens Clarke-County jail may as well be a sponsor of Georgia football.
On the heels of Georgia’s former athletic director Damon Evans’ DUI arrest, two more Bulldogs found themselves in the slammer last weekend — on top of the five who had already been arrested this calendar year.
“I think (the players) are all very conscious of what happened and the ramifications of it, so hopefully it’ll strike a chord,” Richt told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution July 7.
Nope, Coach, it didn’t strike a chord, hit a nerve or get the players’ attention/raise any eyebrows.
Evans’ embarrassing press conference and the red panties in his lap were not enough. Two more football players just had to experience the luxurious confines and accommodations of the Athens jail for themselves.
Backup tailback Dontavius Jackson and starting wideout Tavarres King were arrested July 20 on different charges.
Jackson’s laundry list of charges was highlighted by a DUI and an MIP. He racked up more charges on the side of the road Saturday morning that he did yards rushing on the gridiron in the 2009 season.
And the promising flanker in King, a passenger in the car Jackson was driving, was charged with underage possession of alcohol.
So, boys, where are your heads?
Clearly in a jar by the door and not on your shoulders after a hit-and-run that could cost you your college career.
“I’m disappointed in their decision-making and lack of judgment, and they will both pay a stiff price,” Richt said in a statement released after the arrests. “All our players need to understand that it’s a privilege to be a Bulldog, and their conduct needs to reflect the standards we expect.”
I get it — Jackson and King are 20 and 19, respectively.
Most college kids their ages are partying Sunday to Saturday. Normal college students throw parties where dudes wind up throwing friends through the dry wall in their apartment or get up on bars to dance while pouring shots into the open mouths of legal patrons below.
But those college kids don’t have a full-ride to play football in college. Those college kids don’t play between the hedges on Saturdays while 92,000 fans scream for them. Fans and little kids don’t walk up to those college kids for autographs and pictures while they buy milk at the local grocery store.
It’s a harsh reality to face at a young age — that a totally normal college experience is unattainable — but when players sign their letters of intent and receive that scholarship money from their institutions, they essentially give up that normal experience for a path to the big stage.
So while debauchery rings out throughout the rest of the campus, the players should take notes and learn from the mistakes of fellow teammates and their former leader Evans.
These distractions can affect the team going into the start of fall practice, so don’t allow Georgia football and jail birds become synonymous.
Growing up, I remember watching my dad watch the Braves on TV.
Before I knew what a strike was or who Chipper Jones was, I remember him having games on in the background and every now and again, he would let out a loaded bellow of disappointment. With his jaw clinched and his voice raised, he would loudly let everyone in the house know who screwed up a double play or who struck out swinging.
Despite the Braves 14 straight division titles, getting to and winning the big show has been a struggle since the New York Yankees handed Atlanta World Series losses in 1996 and 1999.
But this season, Bobby Cox’s last as manager, the Braves have showed they can make a genuine run at a World Series title.
Brian McCann won the MVP of this year’s All-Star game with four of his teammates on the NL roster with him.
And it seems as though night in and night out, if Jason Heyward isn’t getting it done offensively (when he’s healthy) Martin Prado steps in to lift Atlanta past opponents.
Someone is always there to step in when the Braves need a momentum-changing play. There’s a balance of talent on offense supported by decent pitching, which coupled together adds only to the win column.
I think the players are very well aware of Cox managing his last MLB season and want to him off into the sunset with two championships to his name.
And this season, my dad has unclenched his jaw and no longer yells at the TV blaring in the background.
Loading ...
