Misdemeanor charges against former Georgia football and current Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Zachariah Branch stemming from an incident in downtown Athens in the early morning of April 19 have been dismissed, his attorney told the Athens Banner-Herald.
A dismissal of the charges of obstruction of a law enforcement officer and obstructing a public sidewalk, were dismissed on Tuesday afternoon by Solicitor Will Fleenor, Kim Stephens said.
“After reviewing all evidence, including videos, and discussing the case with us, the State agreed to dismiss all charges against Mr. Branch yesterday,” Stephens said in a message on Wednesday morning. “Zachariah cooperated fully with law enforcement and did not commit a crime on the night of his arrest and never should have been arrested. We are glad this matter is over and that Mr. Branch’s excellent reputation and good name restored.”
Police had said Branch was given multiple verbal commands to move from a sidewalk outside the Cloud Bar in downtown Athens where a crowd had gathered blocking the entrance.
The Falcons drafted the USC transfer, who set a single season Georgia reception record in 2025 when he had 81 catches for 811 yards and 6 touchdowns, in the third round of the NFL Draft on April 24.
The Falcons said the arrest days before the draft didn’t affect their evaluation of Branch and he said he wasn’t anxious of how it could have affected his draft stock.
“If you look at the things of what transpired,” Branch said, “you’ll understand why I wasn’t anxious.”
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Charges dismissed Falcons, former Georgia receiver Zachariah Branch
