Stetson Bennett speaks on arrest, parade, and Georgia culture

Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett IV is at the biggest job interview of his life. The two-time National Championship-winning quarterback is in Indianapolis for the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine where he broke his silence regarding a recent public intoxication arrest, not participating in the Reese’s Senior Bowl, the fallout from UGA’s championship celebration, and the culture of the program he leaves behind.

One of the first topics broached was Bennett’s arrest on a very minor charge soon after he arrived in Dallas to begin training for the combine. Bennett says that there’s one person to blame for all of that.

“Yeah, it was a mistake that, you know, everybody is aware of,” Bennett said. “I understand why that can’t happen. It was… I’ve talked to coaches, talked to GMs, apologized to my family. That’s who I felt worse about. I felt like I let them down because no matter where I go now… even without all this, I’ve got an obligation. I’m the fourth, can’t do that if you’re last name is Bennett and I know better.”

According to Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald, who obtained the police report from that arrest, Bennett was taken into custody by police more for his own protection than anything else. He initially tried to hide from officers and did not have a cell phone. He also didn’t have a clear idea of where he was at or going.

Bennett and Georgia’s championship parade…

A large swath of Georgia fans took issue with how Bennett behaved during the championship parade back on January 14. There are photos that show him interacting with fans and there are others that show him looking straight ahead.

According to Bennett, the focus was on sharing the moment with the two other permanent team captains, Sedric Van Pran and Christopher Smith.

“People are entitled to their opinion but I saw it as a parade for us who won and I was playing music for (Sedrick Van Pran) and Chris (Smith) and trying to have a good time,” he said. “People took it as I was… I don’t really know what people took it as because they didn’t like it. I’m sorry about that but I strictly just saw it as a chance for me and Sed and Chris to be one last trip down Lumpkin (Street) on the way to Sanford together and I just wanted to play the best tunes I could at the moment.”

No Reese’s Senior Bowl…

Bennett wasn’t quite clear when answering a question about his decision to skip the Reese’s Senior Bowl. He mentioned that it was more of a Shrine Bowl decision and said that he would have love to have played in the game.

Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy says Bennett had an invited and has been critical of his decision not to participate. Bennett’s comments on Friday made it seem like he either didn’t get an invite or didn’t consider playing in the game.

Bennett on Georgia’s recent off-field issues…

The 25-year-old quarterback isn’t the only Bulldog who has found himself in hot water of late. Inside linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson and defensive tackle Jalen Carter, also at the NFL Combine, have been arrested recently for reckless driving and racing.

Their arrests come after the Bulldogs lost recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy and offensive lineman Devin Willock in a tragic car accident the morning after the parade. Carter’s arrest is in connection with that accident as Athens-Clarke County investigators believe that he was racing the vehicle being driven by LeCroy, who’s blood alcohol concentration was almost two and a half times the legal limit.

Some have called for Kirby Smart to step up and answer to the off-field issues. Bennett, however, believes that the poor choices can’t be placed at the feet of the head coach or the program.

“No, those were individual mistakes that those individuals are responsible for,” Bennett said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Not a culture issue.”