Athens Judge Softens Charges on Latest Kirby Smart Athlete Overspeeding Near UGA

Another Georgia player found himself in an Athens courtroom this week facing serious traffic allegations. However, instead of throwing the book at him, the judge softened the blow, opting for a stern admonishment and a misdemeanor plea deal rather than a heavier conviction.

“Mr. Ikinnagbon, I’m troubled by these allegations,” Thompson told the freshman from Hillside, N.J., as he stood before her with his attorney. “One of the most concerning things I see here is that was at 9 o’clock in the evening when there’s still plenty of traffic on the roadway. Speeds of 105 in a 65, that is 40 miles over the posted speed limit. This type of behavior is shocking.”

Darren Ikinnagbon, the Georgia Bulldogs player, drove 105 miles per hour in a 60-mile-per-hour zone last month and pleaded guilty in an Athens courthouse to speeding. His guilty plea resulted in a significant penalty package, including 40 hours of community service, six months’ probation, a $1,013 fine, and mandatory attendance at both a defensive driving class and a traffic violators impact panel.

“I’m truly sorry for disappointing my coaches, teammates, family, and our incredible fans,” Ikinnagbon wrote. “This has been a tough and embarrassing lesson for me, and I’m committed to learning from it, making smarter decisions, and earning back your trust through my actions moving forward.”

In his bid to ensure Ikinnagbon’s plea is heard, attorney Billy Healan explained to the judge how the player has had no prior traffic violations or prior criminal history.

“There would be some legal defenses if the case were to go to trial,” he said. “This is not a situation where my client was clocked with a radar or a lidar, but nonetheless, he’s willing to enter a guilty plea, accept the punishment. We just ask the court to accept the plea.”

Ikinnagbon was not alone in his wrongdoing; he was accompanied by fellow Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Chris Cole. Cole, however, received a continuance until mid-June following his arraignment scheduled for Monday for misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and speeding. 

Reckless driving has become a criminal offense common among the Georgia Bulldogs. This pattern of reckless driving has been under intense scrutiny since a tragic high-speed crash in January 2023 resulted in the deaths of Georgia player Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy.

Since then, over 25 Georgia players have faced arrests or citations for driving-related incidents, including speed and reckless driving. And there is always more expected from the coach in such situations. 

Georgia coaches respond to the arrests 

The Georgia Bulldogs have spoken about holding players accountable through disciplinary actions. Their athletes have been able to escape arrests so far, but if the arrests persist, the outcome may soon be very different. 

Former Bulldog Christen Miller said at the NFL Combine on Wednesday that head coach Kirby Smart does not take these incidents lightly.

“Coach Smart, he don’t deal with that. He don’t like that. He don’t like that at all. It’s not right. He don’t like it. And I feel like he does a good job of disciplining players for it. Holding them accountable, taking money, having us come in early at 6:30s, just showing us that’s not what you do. When you get in the car, you drive the speed limit, and you do what you’re supposed to do.”

Coach Kirby Smart spoke about the topic last spring. And claimed the program would look into the arrests case-by-case basis. A measure the program has been taking is to invite police officers to speak with them.

“It’s been several years in terms of defensive driving courses, having players ride and learn how to drive, just like my two kids did with a driver’s license,” Smart said.

The post Athens Judge Softens Charges on Latest Kirby Smart Athlete Overspeeding Near UGA appeared first on EssentiallySports.