Trevor Etienne’s tenure at the University of Georgia got off to a rocky start even before he caught a breather.
The running back, who was arrested for drunk driving on Sunday, will face future disciplinary action from the school, head coach Kirby Smart announced Tuesday.
according to Athens-Clarke County Police Department (Georgia) Arrest Recordsthe younger brother of Jaguars running back Travis Etienne, was charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane/improper driving on a roadway, and placing a substance that reduces visibility on a window/windshield. All of these charges are misdemeanors.
Athens-Clarke County Police Report Releases Tuesday at multiple retailers Etienne, who had just transferred from Florida, was driving his 2024 Audi RS7 sedan at speeds between 80 and 90 mph early Sunday morning, police said.
When Etienne was pulled over by police, he reportedly told officers he was shaking and had had three beers “in the early hours.”
He also refused a breathalyzer test and gave authorities his car keys when asked for identification. Per ESPN.
He was released on $1,883 bail, according to arrest records.
Smart spoke about Etienne in a media briefing on Tuesday, praising his attitude but saying his successor would likely face “consequences.”
Per school policy, Georgia student-athletes will lose at least 10 percent of their season games if convicted of a DUI.
Smart added that Etienne will be subject to the university’s “internal” rules for football players.
“He enjoys being coached. He’s a bright kid. We push him hard on the field and he enjoys competing,” Smart said. “As we know, children don’t always make the best decisions. The older they get, the harsher the consequences for their mistakes can be. He lets this mistake define him. He doesn’t mean to. He’s embarrassed, he’s upset, he knows he made a mistake. It’s a teachable moment. We hope he gets better from this.”
“Some of it has to unfold naturally.” [in the legal system]. We are still gathering information regarding the report. But there are some things we already know. … University discipline will go through that process, as will what he has to have and the consequences of his actions from the team,” Smart added.
Etienne, who competed with the Bulldogs for the lead back position, totaled 1,472 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns in two seasons with the Gators before transferring to SEC rival Georgia.
There have been a number of driving-related incidents and arrests around the football program in recent years, and on January 15, 2023, offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staff member Chandler LeCroy were arrested as the 2023 Eagles’ first died during a race in the car he was driving. Draft pick Jalen Carter.
Victoria Bowles, a recruiting staff member who was allegedly in the back seat of LeCroy’s car, was seriously injured in the crash and sued both Carter and the UGA Athletics Association last July.
She is seeking $171,595 in general damages as well as punitive damages.
Bowles was fired in August after the school said he was not cooperating with an investigation into the incident.
According to Atlanta’s Fox 5the latest indictment filed in January alleges that Georgia state employees “regularly” drove recruits after drinking in cars rented by the athletic association.
