The University of Georgia football program is responding to an NCAA violation related to sports betting.
According to an Athens Banner-Herald report, an unnamed former football staffer at Georgia has been relieved of their duties for violating NCAA gambling rules by wagering on pro sports. The staffer was cited for a Level III violation by the NCAA after placing the bets in August 2020 but the wagers were not flagged for suspicious activity until last year.
The NCAA’s Level III violations, which are not new to Georgia football, are considered isolated and not widespread issues. In 2022, the program self-reported an improper real-money wager by a player on a fantasy sports platform. NCAA gambling rules ban wagering by all players, coaches, and team officials on events sponsored by the organization.
The staffer is required to adhere to certain standards if hired by another SEC institution.
“If the staff member is hired by another SEC institution in the future the staff member is required to complete a sports gambling education program/session, and the hiring institution is required to submit a written plan to the conference office for monitoring the staff member to assure he does not commit similar violations in the future,” says Georgia’s violation summary.
Off-the-field issues at Georgia
The NCAA violation adds to a growing list of problems for Georgia’s football program.
Since 2023, its players have been cited for 24 separate driving-related violations. The incidents include a fatal crash in January 2023 that took the lives of Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy, a football recruiting staffer at the school.
Authorities said speeding, reckless driving, and alcohol impairment led to the crash. It occurred days after Georgia captured its fourth national championship in team history.
“The incidents that have been happening off the field are not something we condone,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart told reporters at SEC Media Days earlier this week. “It’s very unfortunate, disappointing, I guess is the best word.”
Georgia is taking steps to discipline its players and curtail further off-field incidents.
On Tuesday, it dismissed senior defensive back David Daniel-Sisavanh from the program for violating team rules after he was arrested in February for a reckless driving charge. According to a police report by the Georgia Department of Safety, the 21-year-old was arrested for no signal lane changes and evading police on an interstate in Atlanta.
Georgia football is also issuing team suspensions and fines through its NIL collective to players that are been cited or arrested for driving-related violations.
