Georgia Football Star Stetson Bennett Speaks Out For First Time Since Arrest
Former Georgia football star Stetson Bennett went public at the NFL Combine with his first comments surrounding what's been an eventful offseason for him.
Bennett was arrested for public intoxication while in Dallas, did not take part in the customary postseason all-star games, and was criticized by some for his actions during Georgia's national championship victory parade.
The quarterback was arrested on Jan. 15 after police responded to calls about a man knocking on doors in the middle of the night.
"It was a mistake"
"It was a mistake that everybody's aware of," Bennett said at the NFL Combine.
"I understand why that can't happen. I've talked to coaches about it, talked to GM's. I've apologized to my family. That's who I felt worst about. I felt like I let them down, because no matter where I go now [people are aware of it].
"Even without all this, I've got an obligation. I'm the fourth [Stetson Bennett]. You can't do that if your last name is Bennett. I know better."
Bennett walked on at Georgia and after earning the starting quarterback role was instrumental in helping the program win back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022, the school's first since 1980.
Stetson Bennett was criticized
But the former Heisman finalist also found himself the subject of criticism during the team's most recent national championship parade.
He was seen talking on his cell phone during the victory parade itself and while being interviewed by an Atlanta television station.
And when speaking at the podium, Bennett referred to those who doubted Georgia's championship pedigree saying, "Screw it, we got two rings."
At the NFL Combine, he said, "I saw it as a parade for us who won and I was playing music for [teammates], trying to have a good time."
He acknowledged that people "didn't like it. I'm sorry about that, but I strictly just saw it as a chance for me and [my teammates], one last trip."
He also didn't meet with NFL teams or take part in the Shrine Bowl or the Senior Bowl, electing to train for the pro day and combine in Dallas, where he was arrested.
Bennett's NFL prospects
Scouts have not been high on Bennett's chances in the NFL Draft or as a professional, given that he's relatively undersized and will turn 26 in October.
Bennett's best-case scenario in the NFL was likely as a late-round or even undrafted pick and to possibly land somewhere as a backup, according to scouts and insiders.
But given all that has happened since leaving school, his journey from Georgia to the NFL has only become more difficult.
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