Georgia RB James Cook arrested on open container charge, driving while unlicensed

University of Georgia sophomore running back James Cook was arrested for having an open container of alcohol early Saturday after police found an unsealed 1.75 liter glass bottle of Hennessy Cognac behind the driver’s seat of the 2017 Dodge Charger he was driving.

A Bulldog offensive lineman was in the passenger seat next to Cook when the vehicle was pulled over at about 12:45 a.m., according to an Athens Clarke-County police report.

An officer patrolling on East Clayton Street observed the vehicle’s dealer tag, but could not see the expiration date. When the police moved behind the vehicle, Cook changed lanes.

The officer felt “the driver was attempting to evade me checking the temporary tag,” the report noted. The car pulled into a handicapped space and police noticed that the temporary tag number indicated an unknown insurance status.

After he was pulled over, Cook told the officer he did not have his driver’s license and he was a Georgia football player. The officer later learned Cook’s license was invalid.

The officer smelled burned marijuana, the report noted. Cook said there wasn’t any marijuana in the vehicle because he smoked it.

However, a marijuana “shake” was seen on the center console, according to the report.

Following a search of the players and vehicle, Cook was arrested for misdemeanor charges of having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle and driving while unlicensed. The offensive lineman was not charged for any offenses.

Cook is Georgia’s fourth leading rusher. Coach Kirby Smart and the school have yet to comment on Cook’s arrest. The team is practicing for the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl against Baylor.