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Rara Thomas dismissed from Georgia football team following recent arrest
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Rara Thomas is no longer a member of the Georgia football team.
Kirby Smart announced the wide receiver’s dismissal while meeting with the media on Thursday. The head coach said he met with Thomas on Tuesday after the receiver’s release from jail. Thomas had been indefinitely suspended upon his arrest.
“He can no longer be part of the football team,” Smart told reporters. “He understands that. We wish him the best moving forward.”
Kirby Smart begins his press conference today announcing that he met with WR Rara Thomas and he was told he will no longer be part of the Georgia football team. @11AliveNews pic.twitter.com/ZC09NVSkLe
— Reggie Chatman Jr. (@ReggieChatman) August 1, 2024
Thomas’ dismissal comes six days after his family violence arrest. He was arrested on two counts of misdemeanor battery and one count of felony cruelty to children.
Hayes: Another arrest. Another slap on the wrist response. It’s past time to get tough, Kirby
Smart was criticized for a Saturday post from his X account wishing Thomas a happy birthday. The post was quickly deleted.
The recent arrest brought renewed attention to another family violence incident. In January 2023, Thomas was charged with false imprisonment (felony) and battery (misdemeanor). The charges were dropped as part of a pretrial diversion program.
Thomas transferred from Mississippi State to Georgia ahead of the 2023 season. Last year, he recorded 23 catches for 383 yards and 1 touchdown in 11 games, missing the final three contests due to injury. Thomas had his most productive game as a Bulldog against Kentucky, logging 5 catches for 63 yards and a score in a 51-13 UGA victory.
In two seasons at MSU, Thomas totaled 62 catches for 887 yards and 12 touchdowns. In 2022, he had a 5-catch, 134-yard performance in a 42-24 Mississippi State win over Texas A&M.
Thomas was expected to be a key part of Georgia’s passing offense, as three of UGA’s top four pass-catchers from 2023 are now playing professionally. The Bulldogs return leading wideout Dominic Lovett and have added multiple receivers via the transfer portal.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
