ATL All Day
Fansided

Georgia Bulldogs Linebackers Pass Drug Test, Smart Stands by UGA’s Policy

By Kathryn Morrison

Oct 31, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Florida Gators running back Kelvin Taylor (21) runs with the ball as Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Roquan Smith (3) defends during the second half at EverBank Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 27-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Florida Gators running back Kelvin Taylor (21) runs with the ball as Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Roquan Smith (3) defends during the second half at EverBank Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 27-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

After Georgia Bulldogs linebackers Natrez Patrick and Roquan Smith passed a drug test after alleged use of marijuana, first year head coach Kirby Smart is standing by the UGA athletic association’s drug policy.

Last Saturday night, hours after the Georgia Bulldogs loss to Vanderbilt, police arrived at the dorm room of linebackers Natrez Patrick and Roquan Smith after a R.A. reported smelling the odor of marijuana coming from the room. Neither Patrick nor Smith were arrested due to a room search which “produced no marijuana of testable quantity.”

How the Bulldogs chose to handle the incident regarding disciplinary measures would have a huge impact on the Georgia defense going forward, as both sophomores are starting inside linebackers. The issue was quickly put to rest after both players passed a drug test and would not face suspension. In his weekly press conference on Monday, Coach Smart was asked for his take on the school’s drug policy, in which he considers himself a “team player.”

More from ATL All Day

VIA Chip Towers of DawgNation:

"“I’m a team player when it comes to policy,” said Smart, who was at Alabama for nine years before being hired as Georgia’s head coach last Decemeber. “I believe in doing what the team theme is, which is what our athletic association has been so far. Do I think we live in a society that is a little bit different now than it was back whenever? Sure, I do. But I also believe in what we have and what we know and accept the rules that we’ve been charged with.”“We brought the matter to a conclusion today,” Smart said. “I’m happy for these two young men. They get to move on to football and not have to deal with the distraction. I will say, on the field, these two young men have been exemplary leaders, especially for sophomores.”"

No Suspension for Patrick or Smith v. Florida Gators

That’s right – no suspension for Saturday’s game against the Florida Gators, where the services of these two players will most definitely be needed. Yes, there may have been some gray areas in the case of these two players since the search of their dorm did not produce “marijuana of testable quantity,” however, the incident report included Patrick admitting to keeping marijuana in a hidden compartment built within a fake can of Arizona Strawberry Tea that was confiscated. Police also found a “green smoke buddy” (an air-filter device used to mask the smell of marijuana when in use) along with lighters, rolled up towels pushed against door cracks, and tobacco gutted from Black N’ Mild cigars. Innocent until proven guilty. In this case…not guilty.

The UGA athletic association’s handbook for student-athletes awards a one-game suspension of players found in violation of the drug and alcohol policy. A second offense results in a suspension of one-third of competition dates (four games). This may have been Smith‘s first incident, but that’s not the case for Patrick. He was suspended for one game for violating the policy in 2015.

Next: Atlanta Braves: Evaluating the Brian McCann Rumors

Since they passed the drug test, the Georgia Bulldogs will have these two key players on the field on Saturday in Jacksonville as they take on the 5-1 Florida Gators.

Home/Georgia Bulldogs