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UGA suspends Lemon after felony arrest
School policy results in indefinite suspension pending an investigation
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/03/08
Athens - Georgia defensive lineman Michael Lemon was suspended indefinitely from the football team Thursday afternoon after turning himself into authorities Thursday morning, the school announced.
Also, starting offensive guard Clint Boling, who had been arrested for DUI back in the spring, was suspended for two games Thursday, according to an announcement by coach Mark Richt, and charges were dropped against defensive end Jeremy Lomax, who was cited last month for carrying a concealed weapon.
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Lemon, a redshirt sophomore from Lizella, near Macon, was wanted on two battery charges - one of which was a felony - in connection with a fight that occurred at an Athens apartment complex Saturday night. UGA student DeMarius Jackson suffered a fracture of his left eye socket as a result of punches he claims he took from Lemon.
A felony warrant for Lemon's arrest was issued by the Athens-Clarke County district attorney's office late Wednesday afternoon. Lemon turned himself in at the Athens-Clarke County Jail at 10:24 a.m. Thursday morning. He was released 38 minutes later after posting a $2,500 bond.
Georgia athletics association spokesman Claude Felton said that Lemon's indefinite suspension "was an automatic thing" in keeping with athletics department policy. Any athlete charged with a felony offense is suspended "immediately and indefinitely" from team participation until an internal investigation is completed.
Richt could not be reached for comment on the Lemon case. He was at Fort Stewart on Thursday welcoming back U.S. troops from overseas duties. However, he issued a statement through the sports communications office.
"I'm certainly disappointed in a few of our players who have made poor decisions during the off season," Richt said. "It is of great concern, and we take it very seriously. They will be dealt with accordingly and will pay a price. Each one will be disciplined based on the severity of their actions."
Lemon was the seventh Georgia football to be arrested by police since the end of last season. In addition to Boling and Lomax, other Bulldogs arrested this year include offensive guard Justin Anderson (simple battery), defensive back Donovan Baldwin (DUI), fullback Fred Munzenmaier (underage possession), and offensive tackle Trinton Sturdivant (simple battery). The cases of Anderson and Sturdivant are ongoing.
Richt indicated in the news release he does not believe his 2008 team, ranked No. 1 in some preseason polls, has a discipline problem. He cited the team's 3.23 combined grade-point average in the previous semester and their volunteer work with children and charities.
"I'm extremely excited about what the vast majority of our team has been doing on a daily basis this summer," Richt said. "They're working hard in the classroom, and there's certainly a buzz from our veteran players as to the work ethic and effort they've seen in their weightlifting, running and position workouts. Virtually every one of our players is giving back to the community this summer."
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More on ajc.com
- GEORGIA: Boling's suspension halved (08/01/2008)
- Two UGA linemen facing in-house discipline (07/24/2008)
- GEORGIA FOOTBALL: Lemon suspended after battery arrest (07/04/2008)
- GEORGIA REPORT: Offensive line likely to be shuffled (09/18/2008)
- UGA suffers another offensive line injury (09/17/2008)
- Facing South Carolina never pleasant for Bulldogs (09/09/2008)
- GAME DAY BREAKDOWN: SECOND-HALF DOLDRUMS: Dogs' goal today: 'Finishing the drill' (09/06/2008)
- GEORGIA FOOTBALL: DEFENSE WORE OUT (09/01/2008)
- What Georgia learned in victory (08/31/2008)
- GEORGIA GAME DAY BREAKDOWN (08/30/2008)
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