Kirby Smart Takes Question on Allegation of Racism from Former Player Otis Reese

ATHENS - UGA coach Kirby Smart was asked about allegations from former UGA LB Otis Reese on Wednesday. 

“I don’t think (Reese) actually leveled comments about racism about the program,” Smart said. “But I can’t comment to the stuff that’s going on with that because it’s still going on with the NCAA and SEC. So I think the statement released earlier is pretty explanatory.”

UGA’s statement is as follows: 

“We cannot comment on student-athlete eligibility matters due to federal privacy laws, but we would be happy to share our full response to Otis Reese’s waiver request, if he provides a signed release allowing us to do so. UGA disputes any suggestion that it maintains an unsafe, unsupportive, or racially insensitive environment.”

Kirby added that the SEC’s rules are restrictive to players transferring inside the league.

“In the SEC there are rules that are in place about players going from one school to another. That's not a decision we get to make as coaches. Anytime a kid has an opportunity to play at another place we support that. But in confidence that's not a decision for us to make,”