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UGA football player suspended as police investigate rape allegation

Adam Anderson Adam Anderson #19 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts to a play during the 2020 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl NCAA football game between the Georgia Bulldogs and Cincinnati Bearcats, Jan. 1, 2021, in Atlanta. (Paul Abell via Abell Images for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl) (Paul Abell/ABELL IMAGES)

ATHENS, Ga. — A University of Georgia football player has been suspended as Athens-Clarke County police investigate a rape allegation.

A woman told officers that the alleged rape happened the morning of Friday, Oct. 29 at the home of linebacker Adam Anderson.

According to the police report, a woman said she went to his home in Athens to have some drinks. She told police she fell asleep and then later woke up to the 22-year-old assaulting her.

She said the incident was nonconsensual and made a report with the police department later that day.

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Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, released a statement Thursday on the allegation made against the linebacker:

“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. I will be working closely with our administration to ensure we cooperate fully with all law enforcement and campus protocols.”

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So far, no charges have been filed against Anderson. Channel 2 Action News received the following statement from Anderson’s attorney.

“Adam denies in the strongest terms possible the unfounded and unsupported allegations of sexual misconduct. He has been notified of the allegations made to the police and to the UGA Equal Opportunity Office (EOO), and has come to learn that the complainant has apparently made inconsistent claims,” Steve Sadow said. “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.”

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Anderson played in Georgia’s 34-7 victory over Florida on Oct. 30, the day after the rape allegation was made. The team traveled to Jacksonville on the evening of Oct. 29.

Anderson is one of the stars on Georgia’s top-ranked defense and leads the team in sacks and is second on the team with 5½ tackles for loss. He is projected as late first-round pick in next year’s NFL Draft.

Anderson recently made a deal with Sullivan Auto in Marietta where he was able to get a free Jeep Grand Cherokee, as part of the change in NCAA rules for athletes making money off their names, images and likeness.

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