Rodarius “Lala” Thomas will be away from the Georgia football team for the time being. According to Athens-Clarke County Jail records, Thomas, a wide receiver for the Bulldogs, was booked into the jail at approximately 3:20 a.m. Friday and has been suspended indefinitely.
Thomas was arrested on suspicion of child abuse and assault and is being held without bail.
Thomas’ arrest is the latest in a series of legal issues that have embroiled various members of the powerhouse college football team in the past few months.
Thomas’ arrest this week marks his second in the past 18 months, as University of Georgia police arrested the wide receiver in January 2023 on felony false imprisonment and misdemeanor domestic violence charges.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Georgia wide receiver LaRa Thomas was arrested in Athens, Georgia, early Friday morning on charges of child abuse and assault, adding to the team’s recent legal woes. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
Those charges were dropped when Thomas entered a pretrial diversion program. Details about Friday’s arrest were not immediately released.
Georgia Athletic Association spokesman Stephen Drummond said the situation surrounding Thomas is “an ongoing legal matter. We have no further comment at this time.”
Two Georgia football players arrested overnight on reckless driving charges
Georgia football coach Kirby Smart spoke at Southeastern Conference media day on July 16 about the team’s efforts to address repeated driving violations by players.
A Georgia Bulldogs helmet during the fourth quarter of a game against the Missouri Tigers at Sanford Stadium on Nov. 4, 2023 in Athens, Georgia. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Smart said the suspensions and fines were announced through an organization that pays the school’s players name, image and likeness fees, and that it is Smart’s policy not to make public when players are suspended.
“I don’t think it’s necessarily right to go out in the town square and publicly shame kids,” Smart said at SEC Media Day earlier this month. “When that happens, it’s hard on them. And there’s a lot of regret for those young people who made a mistake. But our job is to educate. Our job is to continue to develop young people.”
A team official confirmed Thomas’ suspension.
Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. (Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
The Bulldogs open the season on Aug. 31 in Atlanta against the Clemson Tigers.
Georgia players have racked up 24 driving-related violations (DUI, reckless driving and speeding) including a crash in January 2023 that killed a player and scouting staff member, according to a report from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Click here to get the FOX News app
Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy died in a car accident on Jan. 15, 2023, just days after the Bulldogs won the national title game.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital X’s sports coverage,subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
