The Georgia Bulldogs have recently enjoyed significant success in college football, securing multiple SEC titles and winning back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022. As Rob Dyrdek aptly stated, "With success comes responsibility of playing your part, to do what you can to help not only those that helped you get to where you're at, but the future of who's going to be playing a part of your business and everything you do in your entire career."

That's a lot to unpack, but when you start to have success on the football field, you gain many responsibilities both on and off the field. Athletes now have opportunities to get paid for their name, image, and likeness (NIL). A significant part of NIL involves how athletes conduct themselves off the field. They serve as role models for future generations of athletes, and their behavior can profoundly influence how younger athletes act when they get older.

Last week, it was revealed that three more Georgia Bulldog football players are being accused of reckless driving. On July 9, 2024, offensive lineman Bo Hughley was arrested by UGA police and charged with reckless driving and failure to maintain lane. The next day, linebacker Smael Mondon and defensive back Demello Jones were caught racing. Mondon was driving a 2022 Dodge Charger, while Jones was driving a 2021 Porsche. Mondon was clocked at 75 miles per hour in a 40-mph zone. Mondon told the officer he did not know who was driving the Porsche.

Jones pulled over and told the police he was just checking on his teammate. When Jones was leaving the scene, the police report says Mondon leaned over and told Jones "Do not say anything in the group chat." Mondon was arrested and taken to jail for reckless driving, while Jones was cited for allegedly racing his teammate but was not taken to jail. Hughley and Mondon were released on a $26 cash bond less than 2 hours after their arrests.

Since January 2023, the Georgia Bulldogs have had 22 football players charged with driving-related offenses—enough to field a football game! Head coach Kirby Smart has announced he will address this issue on Tuesday at the SEC Football Media Days in Dallas. Such behavior is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. These athletes are public figures and role models for younger athletes and fans worldwide.

Kirby Smart had this to say regarding the arrests at SEC Media Days.

Athletes aspire to secure great NIL deals but must also uphold a positive image and conduct themselves responsibly. Their name, image, and likeness will stay with them forever, and the influence they have now will impact future generations. As Warren Buffett said, "Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago."