Georgia running back Todd Gurley (3) hurdles Tennessee defensive back Brian Randolph as he runs for a first down during the fourth quarter of an #NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/The Augusta Chronicle, Jon-Michael Sullivan) (Jon-Michael Sullivan)
Georgia Heisman Trophy candidate #Todd Gurley has been suspended indefinitely due to an ongoing investigation into an alleged violation of NCAA rules, the schoolannounced Thursday.
"I'm obviously very disappointed," Georgia head coach #Mark Richt said. "The important thing for our team is to turn all our attention toward preparation for Missouri."
Sources told the Macon Telegraph and Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman that the investigation involved the possibility that Gurley received money in exchange for his autograph or the use of his likeness.
(UPDATE, 7:56 p.m.: Sports Illustrated has reported that an unidentified person confirmed to Georgia's compliance office this week that he paid Gurley $400 to sign 80 pieces of merchandise on campus in Athens this past spring. The person claimed to have a photo and video of Gurley signing the items, SI's Andy Staples reported, but neither the photo nor the video showed money changing hands.
An SI check of the James Spence Authentication database, one of the leading autograph authentication services, revealed lots of 90 and 20 consecutively numbered pieces of Gurley-signed memorabilia.
NCAA rules require schools to declare a player ineligible once they discover a violation may have been committed. They may then apply for reinstatement.)
Gurley, a junior, leads the SEC in rushing with 773 yards and eight touchdowns on 94 carries. His yards-per-game average of 154.6 is about 30 yards more than second-place Alex Collins of Arkansas (124.2).
Gurley was atop the latest Heisman straw poll conducted by HeismanPundit.com, just ahead of Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott and Oregon quarterbackMarcus Mariota.
No. 13 Georgia (4-1, 2-1 in the SEC) faces a pivotal SEC East game at No. 23 Missouri (4-1, 1-0) on Saturday. With Keith Marshall and freshman Sony Michel injured, Gurley's suspension will likely mean a full workload for freshman Nick Chubb, who is the Bulldogs' second-leading rusher with 224 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries.
"I'm obviously very disappointed," Georgia head coach #Mark Richt said. "The important thing for our team is to turn all our attention toward preparation for Missouri."
Sources told the Macon Telegraph and Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman that the investigation involved the possibility that Gurley received money in exchange for his autograph or the use of his likeness.
(UPDATE, 7:56 p.m.: Sports Illustrated has reported that an unidentified person confirmed to Georgia's compliance office this week that he paid Gurley $400 to sign 80 pieces of merchandise on campus in Athens this past spring. The person claimed to have a photo and video of Gurley signing the items, SI's Andy Staples reported, but neither the photo nor the video showed money changing hands.
An SI check of the James Spence Authentication database, one of the leading autograph authentication services, revealed lots of 90 and 20 consecutively numbered pieces of Gurley-signed memorabilia.
NCAA rules require schools to declare a player ineligible once they discover a violation may have been committed. They may then apply for reinstatement.)
Gurley, a junior, leads the SEC in rushing with 773 yards and eight touchdowns on 94 carries. His yards-per-game average of 154.6 is about 30 yards more than second-place Alex Collins of Arkansas (124.2).
Gurley was atop the latest Heisman straw poll conducted by HeismanPundit.com, just ahead of Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott and Oregon quarterbackMarcus Mariota.
No. 13 Georgia (4-1, 2-1 in the SEC) faces a pivotal SEC East game at No. 23 Missouri (4-1, 1-0) on Saturday. With Keith Marshall and freshman Sony Michel injured, Gurley's suspension will likely mean a full workload for freshman Nick Chubb, who is the Bulldogs' second-leading rusher with 224 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries.
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