Georgia RB Todd Gurley eligible to return Nov. 15 vs. Auburn
College Football
Georgia running back Todd Gurley will be eligible to return from a suspension for accepting money for autographs on Nov. 15 against Auburn, the NCAA announced on Wednesday.
Gurley, who was a Heisman Trophy candidate, was suspended earlier this month for receiving money from a memorabilia dealer in exchange for autographs. He has not played in Georgia's last two games and will miss the team's next two games against Florida and Kentucky.
The NCAA said it decided a four-game suspension was appropriate based on punishment of similar incidents.
Todd Gurley, University of Georgia football student-athlete, must sit a total of four games, or 30 percent of the season, for accepting more than $3,000 in cash from multiple individuals for autographed memorabilia and other items over two years. Gurley, who acknowledged violating NCAA rules, must repay a portion of the money received to a charity of his choice and complete 40 hours of community service as additional conditions for his reinstatement. Gurley will be eligible to play on Nov. 15.
In determining the appropriate reinstatement conditions, a 30 percent withholding condition is consistent with precedent in similar cases. Additional withholding was strongly considered because the violations occurred over multiple years with multiple individuals and the student received extensive rules education about the prohibition of receiving payment for autographs. However, the university's due diligence in its investigation and the student's full disclosure of his involvement in the violations were factors in not imposing a more severe withholding condition.
In five games this season, Gurley had 773 rushing yards on 94 carries with eight touchdowns.
Georgia has won both of the games it played without Gurley and is 6-1 on the season.
- Paul Palladino
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