The college football program at the University of Georgia has a reckless driving problem and a new video of Carson Beck does not help with the optics. He was putting the pedal to the metal during a test drive with Atlanta Autos in clear violation of the speed limit.
For this video to exist while the team continues to deal with a legitimate culture issue is baffling.
At least 20 different football players have been arrested for driving-related offenses since January 15, 2023. It was determined that offensive tackle Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy were involved in a street race when an early-morning car accident tragically claimed their lives on that day.
Absolutely nothing has changed within the program in the 19 months since the fatal crash. A legal filing earlier this year alleged frequent drunk driving by Georgia staffers. Star transfer running back Trevor Etienne was booked for DUI, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane/improper driving on road and affixing materials that reduce visibility of windows/windshield in March. He was one of nearly two dozen players to be arrested on a “reckless driving” charge in less than two years, as previously mentioned.
Head coach Kirby Smart announced in July that the Classic City NIL Collective has been “substantially fining” any Bulldogs athlete who got in trouble for his or her driving. Most, if not all of those fines have been assessed to the football team for more than a year. Clearly, it’s not working.
Carson Beck drives fast.
Beck is one of the biggest stars in the sport and is compensated as such through Name, Image and Likeness— and the Classic City Collective.
The 22-year-old spent a good chunk of his money on cars. He has multiple luxury vehicles, including a Lamborghini.
Beck was asked about the purchase at SEC Media Days and offered a very blunt response.
Obviously, my car is fast, 100%, but I don’t drive like an idiot.
— Carson Beck
His answer is not true. Beck test drove a Ferrari F8 Spider with Atlanta Autos back in June.
For some reason, a TikTok video from that day has gone mostly unnoticed until this past weekend. It finally surfaced on social media after three and a half months.
Beck very obviously violated the speed limit while driving the Ferrari.
Most people who drive a car have violated a traffic law at some point. Most everybody has exceeded the speed limit by a mile per hour or two, if not more. It happens.
However, the optics here are poor.
The starting quarterback for a team with a severe reckless driving problem actively promoted reckless driving on social media. That can’t happen.