Details regarding Georgia defensive lineman Jonathan Ledbetter's DUI arrest over the weekend, and they are pretty disturbing. According to Dawg Nation, police first found Ledbetter asleep at the wheel of his car, which resulted in a breathalyzer test that resulted in his arrest. It reportedly took police a half an hour to wake him up — even attempting to wake him up by turning on their sirens.
After Ledbetter was awakened, he was informed that he had been asleep for a while, Dawg Nation reports. Officers asked if he had been drinking, and he replied, "Yes sir, I'm at home." Ledbetter later said he had some beers downtown. A field sobriety test was then conducted. During the test, the officer asked if he'd be willing to submit to a breath test. Then, the report takes an interesting turn.
"(Ledbetter) proceeded to explain that he knows what's going on in the world now with cops shooting black people and he also said that he wanted to know if he passed the test or not so that he could just take his boys home. There was no one in the car except for Mr. Ledbetter when I arrived on scene. He also explained that he feels like this is a hate crime. I asked Mr. Ledbetter again if he would be willing to submit to the breath test and he said, 'I will submit to any test that you want me to do.' He expressed that he plays football for UGA and that he does not need to get into any more trouble because he is going to get kicked off of the team and that he needs to provide for his mother and family."
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart addressed the incident at SEC Media Days from Hoover, Al. Smart stated that Ledbetter would remain on the team.
RELATED: Two UGA freshmen jailed on weapons charges
Ledbetter was jailed earlier in the year on weapons charges until they were dropped a little while after.
"Certainly we are disappointed and recognize he has a serious problem," Smart said in a statement. "We have provided help for him previously and we are committed to providing whatever assistance is necessary for Jonathan that will contribute to immediate improvement but also ensure that his long-term well-being is secure."
So it appears Ledbetter hasn't used the last of his chances yet. We will continue to update this story if it continues to develops.
[H/T Dawg Nation/College Football Talk]
