Smart's a 'team player' when it comes to Georgia's drug policy

Following the announcement that linebackers Natrez Patrick and Roquan Smith will not be suspended for Georgia's upcoming game against Florida, head coach Kirby Smart was asked again about his stance on the program's drug policy.

According to the University of Georgia's student-athlete handbook, any players who violate the program's policy on marijuana will be suspended. In the case of Patrick and Smith, neither player was arrested as police could not find them to be in possession of the illegal substance, even though marijuana-related paraphernalia was confiscated from Patrick's dorm.

But after passing drug tests administered by the program, Georgia athletics director Greg McGarity said Patrick and Smith will be free to play in this game. Smart said he was happy with the athletic department's decision.

"I’m a team player when it comes to policy," Smart said. "I believe in doing what the team theme is, which is what our athletic association has been so far."

A first marijuana-related incident at Georgia results in a one-game suspension. A second is a four-game ban. Violating the policy a third time results in dismissal from the football team.

After taking the Georgia job, Smart admitted in a prior media appearance that he saw the drug policy as "not exactly a level playing field across the board." Georgia's policy is generally considered stricter in comparison to its SEC counterparts.

"Do I think we live in a society that’s a little different now than it was whenever? Sure," Smart said. "I also believe in what we have and know and accept the rules we’ve been charged with."

This story was originally published October 24, 2016 at 1:20 PM with the headline "Smart's a 'team player' when it comes to Georgia's drug policy."