Georgia releases statement regarding report of multiple sexual assault allegations

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported earlier this week on a troubling number of sexual assault allegations against Georgia football players under coach Kirby Smart‘s tenure. Now the university has issued a response via a statement made to DawgsHQ.

Officials have denied claims that allegations against members of the football team were not taken seriously, saying it “acted decisively” in all cases. They also stated they have “no tolerance” for players who commit sexual or physical assault.

“Our program has acted decisively in every criminal investigation of a football player regarding sexual/physical assault allegations,” Georgia said in the statement. “We have no tolerance for such misconduct. We have a clear record and the suggestion that our program ignores reports or rewards bad behavior is wrong. In fact, just the opposite is true — we consistently educate with a goal of prevention, we take action when necessary, and we will continue to take action, as appropriate.”

The report from the AJC states that a total of 11 players have remained on the team despite women reporting violent encounters to the police and/or the university in Smart’s seven years as coach. Much of the story focuses on incoming freshman Jamaal Jarrett, a four-star defensive lineman.

In June of 2022, Jarrett, then 16 years old, took his official visit to Georgia. He met with a 20-year-old woman whom he had been messaging through Instagram and the two had sex in a hotel room.

The woman claimed that everything was consensual until Jarrett pulled out his phone and began to record her performing oral sex. At that point, she told police that she said she wanted to stop, but Jarrett grabbed her by the head and forced her to keep going. Text messages between the two the next day reveal the woman told Jarrett she didn’t feel comfortable with the videos and asked him to delete them.

Jarrett went to the Athens County Police station the next day along with his mother and Georgia director of player support and operations Bryant Gantt. The report states that one detective referred to “my beloved Bulldogs” during the investigation.

Jarrett’s story lined up for the most part with what the woman told police. However, he said that she initially agreed to be filmed and held the camera for the first video. The woman later confirmed this in a follow up interview.

Ultimately, police decided that there was not enough evidence of a crime to pursue a case against Jarrett. They searched his phone and found that he had deleted the videos, per the woman’s request.

The AJC article also referred to another case against former Georgia linebacker Adam Anderson. In November of 2021, Anderson turned himself in to police and was charged with felony rape.

Several Georgia players, including stars such as defensive lineman Jalen Carter and linebacker Quay Walker, testified at his bond hearing in favor of his character. Anderson’s attorney told the judge he made a “promise” to Smart that the players testifying would be released early to return to football activities. The athletic department denied that Smart was involved in sending players to the hearing.

Anderson was later indicted and charged, never playing again for the Bulldogs.