Athens, GA – Georgia running back Todd Gurley will not play in the Georgia Florida game this weekend, but you will see him back on the field this season. The NCAA made a statement this morning that he sit a total of four games (30% of season) for accepting more than $3,000 for autographed items over his two years at Georgia. The NCAA released “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.”
Before reinstated, Gurley must repay a portion of the money that he accepted to a charity of his choosing and complete 40 hours of community service.
Gurley has already missed both the Missouri and Arkansas game and will miss the two final road games of the regular season against Florida and Kentucky. Gurley will be back on the field when the Bulldogs return to Sanford Stadium in Athens on November 15th against Auburn.
UGA plans to appeal the decision immediately. Football practice will be closed today, but Coach Richt will hold his media session post-practice.
We contacted sports information director Claude Felton and was told no one could comment on the reinstatement or the appeal while the appeal is conducted. He did tell us that the appeal will be determined this week.
