Todd Gurley Suspended Indefinitely: Georgia Running Back Under Investigation for Profiting off Autographs
ByThe University of Georgia (UGA) has suspended the Bulldogs' star running back Todd Gurley indefinitely amid allegations he sold his autograph for cash.
Someone confirmed to Sports Illustrated that he told UGA's compliance office of a transaction in which he paid Gurley $400 for signatures on 80 items. Video and photos of the signing session reportedly does not show Gurley accepting a cash payment.
UGA was obligated to rule Gurley ineligible by NCAA rules that state a school must do so once they learn of a possible violation. UGA may seek to reinstate Gurley, though the school's athletic department did not comment.
Gurley's suspension was announced Thursday and the 13th-ranked Bulldogs go on the road to play 23rd-ranked Missouri Saturday.
"I'm obviously very disappointed," UGA head football coach Mark Richt said in a statement. "The important thing for our team is to turn all our attention toward preparation for Missouri."
An unnamed source "within the autograph industry" told ESPN that his or her colleagues knew Gurley sought anywhere from $8 to $25 per autograph. The Heisman candidate tailback would also charge less the more items he signed at once.
James Spence Authentication has more than 300 jerseys, 30 mini-helmets, 70 photos and 10 baseballs and nine Nike cleats signed by Gurley, all complete with a certificate of authenticity, ESPN reported.
Before the start of last season, Texas A&M was faced with a similar situation with quarterback Johnny Manziel. The NCAA was investigating Manziel for allegedly accepting cash for autographs and, like Gurley, there was no solid evidence that money actually changed hands. Manziel missed the first half of his team's first game and went on to have a spectacular season and get drafted in the first round.
Gurley's suspension comes mid-season, meaning he is likely to miss this weekend and maybe another game after. Still, Gurley's chances at the Heisman Trophy figure to take a massive hit, as does Georgia's offense, though the junior's draft stock could well go unaffected. The running back has scored eight touchdowns this season and is averaging just less than nine yards per carry.