Pair of Georgia Bulldogs get reckless driving charges dismissed in a week

Two Georgia Bulldogs have reckless driving charges dismissed weeks before the Clemson game

Two Georgia Bulldogs have seen their reckless driving charges be dismissed in less than a week.

Georgia freshman wide receiver Sacovie White was arrested on May 18, but had his two misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and driving on a one way street recently dismissed due to lack of evidence.

“After a careful review of the evidence, including footage from the downtown cameras, it is clear that the State will not be able to prove Reckless Driving beyond a reasonable doubt. While the State could proceed to trial on the remaining traffic citation, the State instead chooses to dismiss that count in the interest of justice.”

White saw his charges dismissed on Aug. 14. Later, on Aug. 19, Georgia senior linebacker Smael Mondon resolved his case.

Mondon was arrested on July 10 on reckless driving and racing charges. He reached a plea agreement, where he plead guilty to driving too fast for conditions, but his reckless driving and racing charges have been dropped.

Mondon paid a fine of $500, completed a class and went to defensive driving school. Mondon’s attorney, Billy Healan, issued a statement to Athens Banner-Herald after Mondon reached a plea deal.

“I don’t think they could have proved racing or reckless driving. There just wasn’t a race. Smael took off too fast from a traffic light. He accelerated too quickly. He’s driving a Dodge Hellcat which has very loud exhaust. It’s going to get people’s attention, it’s going to get the police’s attention. Accelerating quickly from a traffic light doesn’t mean you’re racing the person that happens to be you.”

Mondon was arrested after allegedly racing with freshman defensive back Demello Jones, who was only charged with racing. Jones was reportedly more cooperative with police and figures to have his case resolved soon as well.

It is unclear if any of these arrests for traffic violations will result in a suspension. Georgia football opens the 2024 college football season on Aug. 31 against the Clemson Tigers in Atlanta, Georgia.

Report: Georgia’s NIL collective is fining players over driving infractions

Kirby Smart shares that Georgia’s main NIL collective is (and has been) fining players for driving infractions

Georgia football’s name, image and likeness collective (The Classic City Collective) has been fining Georgia Bulldog players for their driving violations. The financial penalties have not stopped several Bulldogs from racking up driving infractions this offseason.

“Our Classic City Collective for over a year has been substantially fining guys for those things. That’s not something that’s new,” said Georgia coach Kirby Smart. “That’s something that’s been ongoing outside of my jurisdiction that they decided to implement and have done for a considerable amount.”

Kirby Smart insists that Georgia has been harsher than most other programs on driving-related issues.

“As far as I know there’s not one team in the country that’s ever suspended a player for traffic violations, which that’s what Marcus Rosemy got suspended for (to start last season),” said Smart. Smart has made it clear that he’s not going to announce suspensions of players to the media.

“I don’t necessarily think it’s right to go down to the town square and publicly shame kids when that happens,” said Smart. A pair of potential starters in linebacker Smael Mondon and running back Trevor Etienne are facing suspensions.

“I don’t know if anybody’s ever kicked somebody off the team for that (a traffic violation,” added Smart. “And we have that. And we’re going to continue to be proactive. It’s repeated behaviors that will get you dismissed. Repeated poor behaviors and poor decisions. In some cases, we have repeated behaviors, and in some cases, we have guys that make mistakes, and we’re going to punish them.”

Suspensions are definitely something to watch as we approach Georgia’s season opener against the Clemson Tigers, but we probably won’t know if a Georgia player is out until the last minute.