Patrick remains a part of the Georgia football team
Linebacker Natrez Patrick is still a member of the Georgia football team, head coach Kirby Smart confirmed during Monday’s press conference to preview the team’s Jan. 1 Rose Bowl date against Oklahoma.
Patrick was arrested in Barrow County along with wide receiver Jayson Stanley on the night of Dec. 2 after the Bulldogs’ win over Auburn in the SEC Championship.
A charge of misdemeanor possession of marijuana was ultimately dismissed.
"Under university and athletic association policies, both those guys remain part of the team and eligible to practice," Smart said. "As we always talk about disciplinary matters, they're handled internally. So we make disciplinary decisions based on our policies, and the September revisions to the substance abuse policy had no impact whatsoever on the situation."
A subsequent drug test by UGA just hours after the arrest came back negative. However, Patrick later tested positive on a subsequent drug test by Athens-Clarke County authorities, one which was triggered as a result of Patrick’s earlier probation following two previous arrests for misdemeanor marijuana possession, one two years ago and one last October.
Patrick's attorney Billy Healan sent out an email to reporters early Monday afternoon regarding allegations that the player has been charged with a probation violation in Clarke County.
It read:
...Probation records are confidential under Georgia law and specific allegations will not be addressed. There will be a hearing in January during which any issues will be addressed, if a negotiated resolution is not adopted beforehand.
...Patrick submitted to a drug test within the first few hours after he bonded out of the Barrow County Jail on Dec. 3.
...A probation violation is not a violation of the UGA Athletic Association Substance Abuse Policy. This is true under the previous policy and the policy enacted on Sept. 1.
...As the University of Georgia Athletic Association is required to follow this policy, Natrez Patrick should remain a member of the Georgia football team."
It's not clear if Patrick will play in Georgia's Rose Bowl date against Oklahoma
"The Athens-Clarke County situation is a separate situation and we'll address that once it's resolved," said Smart, who was asked if he thought Patrick had a problem with marijuana.
“I think for us, which I'm not allowed to talk much about this subject because a lot of it is confidential, and you've got to respect his confidentiality. I have a lot of respect for Natrez as a person, a student, a student-athlete. He's done a lot of good things along with his mistakes," Smart said. "I think for us and for me I can't sit here and outline and define everything that's happened because of his confidentiality and for the kid's sake. So with that, there is not a lot I can talk about in that situation. It's limited.”
Patrick started seven of the nine games he played in this fall, making 35 tackles including 2.5 for losses of five yards.
According to Georgia’s student-athlete handbook, a third arrest could mean an automatic dismissal from the team.
More to come.