Yesterday evening, Dawg Nation received a collective punch to the gut when UGA announced that their star running back, Todd Gurley, was suspended indefinitely pending an investigation into NCAA rules violations.
The rules violations revolve around Gurley allegedly accepting extra benefits for his likeness (autograph) from sports memorabilia dealers. The amount he received was first reported last night by FOX Sports to be $400, but later TMZ said it was just short of $2,000.
Early this morning, Darren Rovell of ESPN reported that the authentication company JSA “authenticated at least 500 Gurley signatures (300+ jerseys, 70+ photos, 30+ mini helmets).” This came after he reported Gurley was looking for $8-25 a signature.
So right now, we are anywhere from Gurley allegedly accepting $400 all the way up to $4000-12,500.
Todd Gurley did not make the trip with the team this morning to Missouri, so obviously he won’t play this weekend. He’s likely to miss one or two more games, according to a FOX Sports report this morning.
Could he miss more than that? Is his career at UGA over? That’s certainly a possibility, but it depends on what the investigation uncovers or if he admits to receiving thousands of dollars in compensation.
One thing is for sure, however. A memorabilia dealer who lives in Georgia wanted everyone to know that Todd Gurley was possibly breaking NCAA rules. He sent the below email to SBNation on Sept. 30:
I have video of Todd Gurley doing a private autograph signing ***. He has been paid thousands of dollars for his stuff over the last 18 months. I personally paid him for this signing on the video. I have bought and sold game used equipment from him.
I want no compensation. Just want someone to leak this story that’s deserving. If you have any interest, give me a call or email. I attached a photo of him in my car signing a mini helmet that I just sold last week on my eBay store.
All I ask is some privacy until we can touch base.
I live on Georgia and would crucified if my name was released.
The video is about 5 minutes long but doesn’t show the money exchange.
My cell is **********
I believe this would be the lead story on sports center if ESPN got their hands on this. Hope to hear from you soon.
SBNation reported that the photo “shows an African-American man with dreadlocks signing a red item while sitting in a car. His face is not visible. There is no way of telling whether it is Gurley or not.”
The website verified the identity of the emailer, but didn’t run the story because they said their purpose is not to “enforce the NCAA’s insane bylaws.”
Georgia fans have reportedly identified the subject and have posted details on various UGA message boards, but we won’t get into that here.
Without Gurley, Nick Chubb and Brendan Douglas will have to fill the void. And hopefully Sony Michel and Keith Marshall can get back on the field soon.
View Comments (12)
If they can't see the face, then how can you assume it's Todd gurley... When you can find any other black guy with dreadlocks to fit an pose as Todd but I can't stand someone who is willing to throw someone who is doing good under the bus like that just to have the spotlight
I will not pass judgment until all is said and done. There are so many scum-bags out there looking for a bit of fame that they will tear anyone down if at all possible to get their bi. If this is not true, I certainly hope this person will get what he deserves and it isn't nice. If it is true, Todd will be paying the consequences.
Yea how much did u get paid to say bad things about Gurley Mr don't release your name every one knows you are from rome georgia wow every thing comes out and so will your name you georgia hater oh yea go dawgs for life
Jan Kemp 2014
What is this guys name? I buy lots of Bulldog items for my man cave and don't want to give this a hole any business
I think they ought to post the name of the asshole that started this shit!!!
agree, Larry Donegan...the scumbag that started this is obviously a coward among other things looking to bring down Gurley and the DAWGS to foster his own agenda. I hope someone knows who he is and deals with him appropriately. and not for nothing that NCAA rule is ridiculous to begin with!
The DAWGS will win some, lose some with or without Gurley, what I cannot stand is for someone who will post something, not put some kind of name on their post or try to down blast someone, something or just say something negative about ANYTHING. Come on Dawg Nation, put this to rest so the DAWGS can concentrate on their job at hand and that is to win games, also let the powers that be do their job and that is to investigate this and other incidents with other institutions in a timely manner, honest and fairness to all.. GO DAWGS, BEAT MIZZU!!!
Bryan allen is the scumbags name
Even if Todd Gurley did do what this asshole said he did, I don't blame him. UGA and all of these other schools make all of this money off of student athletes and then give them nothing but an education. So I feel like he have worked his ass off for UGA and made a name for himself and deserves whatever moneys or gifts that he has received off of his name. Better yet if I was TODD GURLEY, I wouldn't wanna play for GA no more any how because they were so quick to convict him before he has been proven guilty. So much for loyalty. Gurley, I support u fully bruh, and I am a die hard Bulldog fan, but damn them bruh, u know where ur future lies with or without Ga. Much love bruh and I'm sorry ur college career is ending like this, but see ya next year on the big screen bruh