Valdosta St. player released from jail in time for game

VALDOSTA - Reggie Rhodes, an all-Gulf South Conference defensive tackle, was released from jail over the weekend so he could play in Valdosta State&#39;s NCAA Division II quarterfinal victory over Carson-Newman. <br> <br> Rhodes, 22, was charged with a probation violation before the game Saturday when he was stopped for not wearing his seat belt. He was on probation for a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana, and his probation officer had issued an arrest warrant after Rhodes failed to meet with him. <br> <br> After being stopped, Rhodes was taken to Lowndes County Jail. He was released to the custody of school&#39;s Public Safety Department and played in the game, then returned to jail following a 31-28 victory, The Valdosta Daily Times reported in Tuesday&#39;s editions. <br> <br> He was released Monday after his probation agency dropped the charges. <br> <br> Valdosta State Athletic Director Herb Reinhard took responsibility for the decision to have Rhodes released. <br> <br> ``Public Safety indicated they had worked it out with the sheriff&#39;s office that Reggie could be released and be allowed to play, but of course he&#39;d have to turn himself in after the game,&#39;&#39; Reinhard said. ``With the information I had at that time ..., I made the call that Public Safety could go pick him up.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Lowndes County Sheriff&#39;s Department Capt. J.D Yeager said it&#39;s common practice to release an inmate to the arresting agency. <br> <br> But Valdosta State Public Safety Director Scott Doner said this is the first time during his seven-year tenure his department had requested the release of a student. <br> <br> The Blazers (13-0) host Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday in the semifinals.