Days after making their way to the top of the College Football Playoff Committee's rankings, the University of Georgia will take the field without their star linebacker, Adam Anderson. Anderson has been suspended indefinitely after a 21-year-old woman alleged that he raped her.
Anderson's ongoing legal battle stems from an alleged encounter last Friday between the hours of 12 a.m. and 7 a.m. According to an Athens-Clarke County Police Department incident report, the 21-year-old woman traveled to a home in Athens, Georgia on October 29. While there, the report states that the woman had a drink and woke up to find Anderson on top of her.
Hours later, Anderson played in Georgia's 27-point win against the University of Florida Gators before being suspended later in the week. The star linebacker has refuted all allegations and hopes that the "public keeps an open mind and [doesn't] prejudge him."
"In the interest of justice and fairness, Adam hopes and prays the UGA community and the public keep an open mind and not prejudge him based on inconsistent, unsubstantiated and baseless accusations," Anderson's attorney, Steve Sadow, told ESPN.
Moving forward, the nation's top ranked college football team will take on the University of Missouri Tigers without Anderson. However, the situation still hovers about the team's success on the field. University of Georgia Head Football Coach Kirby Smart was asked about the team's handling of the serious matter on Thursday.
"We are aware of the report, and we don't comment on law enforcement matters, but I've been clear about the high standards we have for our student-athletes on and off the field," Smart said, according to ESPN.
"I will be working closely with our administration to ensure we cooperate fully with all law enforcement and campus protocols."
At this time, the investigation into the matter is ongoing and no charges have been filed.
"The investigation is still ongoing," Athens-Clarke County Police Lieutenant Shaun Barnett explained to ESPN.
"No arrest or final determination, either way, has been made."
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