From OnlineAthens.com
July 25th, 2016 04:52 PM
ATLANTA | Georgia defensive lineman Jonathan Ledbetter’s suspension length after two-alcohol related arrest continues to be shrouded in uncertainty. At least publicly.
Coach Kirby Smart said last week during a visit to ESPN that he thought the number of games “will surprise everybody,” but when asked to elaborate on Monday night before an Atlanta donor event at a Buckhead hotel he said “it’s a situation that’s kind of fluid and moving.” He then became passionate when speaking about Ledbetter’s well-being.
“It’s more important to me that you guys would have asked about how Jonathan’s doing,” he said raising his voice. “Nobody asks that. The only question I get everywhere I go somewhere is, 'What is Jonathan’s suspension going to be?' I’m waiting on one of y’all to come up and say, `How’s Jonathan doing?”
So he was asked that question.
“Jonathan’s doing really good,” Smart said. “Jonathan is not with the team right now. He’s going to see a specialist. He’s getting help. That’s important to me. Jonathan is not even working out with the team right now. That’s what’s more important to me than how many games he gets suspended at the end of the day. I wish that could be the focal point instead of,’ What is his punishment? What is his punishment? How many games is he suspended?' Let’s don’t talk about that, let’s talk about what’s good for Jonathan.”
Ledbetter’s suspension seems like it could be anywhere from two to six games.
“It’s not important to me right now whether he plays in the first game, second game, third game, fourth game,” Smart said. “It’s about what’s going to be best for Jonathan to be best down the road.”
Georgia’s athletic policy mandates a two-game suspension for a DUI so Ledbetter will have to sit out at least games against North Carolina and Nicholls State for his March 20 arrest for underage alcohol possession and using a fake ID, but those charges were dropped. He then was arrested for DUI and underage possession on July 10.
Smart initially announced a one-game suspension for that initial arrest, but did not say if that would stick after the case was closed.
Ledbetter could be suspended for half the season--six games--depending on how Georgia’s athletic policy is viewed with that first arrest.
“If either of the two offenses is a DUI, the competition suspension will be no less than 50% of the total sport season,” it says.
Smart said Ledbetter’s mother sat in his office in his tears.
“I know his brother, I know the kid and I know what the kid is going through so it’s really a situation that he needed help, he’s now getting that help and I hope that he makes some changes in his life for the better,” Smart said.
...READ MORE HERE...
July 25th, 2016 04:52 PM
ATLANTA | Georgia defensive lineman Jonathan Ledbetter’s suspension length after two-alcohol related arrest continues to be shrouded in uncertainty. At least publicly.
Coach Kirby Smart said last week during a visit to ESPN that he thought the number of games “will surprise everybody,” but when asked to elaborate on Monday night before an Atlanta donor event at a Buckhead hotel he said “it’s a situation that’s kind of fluid and moving.” He then became passionate when speaking about Ledbetter’s well-being.
“It’s more important to me that you guys would have asked about how Jonathan’s doing,” he said raising his voice. “Nobody asks that. The only question I get everywhere I go somewhere is, 'What is Jonathan’s suspension going to be?' I’m waiting on one of y’all to come up and say, `How’s Jonathan doing?”
So he was asked that question.
“Jonathan’s doing really good,” Smart said. “Jonathan is not with the team right now. He’s going to see a specialist. He’s getting help. That’s important to me. Jonathan is not even working out with the team right now. That’s what’s more important to me than how many games he gets suspended at the end of the day. I wish that could be the focal point instead of,’ What is his punishment? What is his punishment? How many games is he suspended?' Let’s don’t talk about that, let’s talk about what’s good for Jonathan.”
Ledbetter’s suspension seems like it could be anywhere from two to six games.
“It’s not important to me right now whether he plays in the first game, second game, third game, fourth game,” Smart said. “It’s about what’s going to be best for Jonathan to be best down the road.”
Georgia’s athletic policy mandates a two-game suspension for a DUI so Ledbetter will have to sit out at least games against North Carolina and Nicholls State for his March 20 arrest for underage alcohol possession and using a fake ID, but those charges were dropped. He then was arrested for DUI and underage possession on July 10.
Smart initially announced a one-game suspension for that initial arrest, but did not say if that would stick after the case was closed.
Ledbetter could be suspended for half the season--six games--depending on how Georgia’s athletic policy is viewed with that first arrest.
“If either of the two offenses is a DUI, the competition suspension will be no less than 50% of the total sport season,” it says.
Smart said Ledbetter’s mother sat in his office in his tears.
“I know his brother, I know the kid and I know what the kid is going through so it’s really a situation that he needed help, he’s now getting that help and I hope that he makes some changes in his life for the better,” Smart said.
...READ MORE HERE...
