Georgia wide receiver Rara Thomas suspended after arrest for child abuse and assault

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Georgia wide receiver Rodarius “Rara” Thomas has been suspended indefinitely following his arrest early Friday on child abuse and assault charges, adding to the team’s recent legal troubles.

Athens-Clarke County Jail records show Thomas was arrested at 3:20 a.m. on charges of child abuse and assault. No bail had been set as of Friday afternoon.

It is Thomas’ second arrest in two years. Thomas, a transfer from Mississippi State, was arrested by the University of Georgia police on January 23, 2023, for false imprisonment and domestic violence. The charges were dropped when Thomas entered a diversion program.

Details of Friday’s arrest, which also involves a domestic violence offense, were not immediately available.

Steven Drummond, Georgia’s deputy athletic director for strategic communications, said in a statement to the Associated Press: “This is a pending legal matter. We will have no further comment at this time.”

Georgia coach Kirby Smart spoke at the Southeastern Conference Media Days on July 16 about attempts to repeated traffic violations from his players.

Smart said players were suspended and fined through the association, which pays name, image and likeness rights to the school’s athletes. Smart’s policy is not to make public announcements when players are suspended. A team official confirmed Thomas’ suspension.

Thomas is not expected to be available when the Bulldogs open their season against Clemson on Aug. 31 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Georgia players were involved in 24 traffic-related violations (DUI, reckless driving or speeding), the Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported, including one accident that killed a player and a recruiter in January 2023.

“The incidents that occurred off the field are not something we can tolerate,” Smart said at the SEC’s media days. “It’s very unfortunate, disappointing, I think that’s the best word for it.”

Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy were killed in a car crash on January 15, 2023, just days after the Bulldogs won the national title game.

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AP College Football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football