Let’s just cut right to the chase. Whether you as a fan think it’s unfair that college football players can’t make money off their own likeness is irrelevant. At least at the moment. That’s simply because NCAA rules forbid it. Case closed. No further debate. Until that particular rule is changed, if you get caught doing it, there will be serious ramifications.
And now it has happened to Georgia running back and Heisman Trophy candidate Todd Gurley. On Thursday, Georgia suspended their star running back indefinitely for allegedly violating NCAA rules specifically centered around whether he received money for autographs, memorabilia and the use of his likeness.
But the most curious part of the story is how it all began.
On Sept. 30, an autograph dealer sent an email to SBNation.com (an online sports website) claiming that he has a “video of Todd Gurley doing a private autograph signing.” The emailer indicated that he has paid Gurley thousands of dollars over the past 18 months for items such as autographs and used game equipment.
Photo source: Instagram
The emailer claimed that he or she did not want any money. All they wanted was for someone to leak the story if it was “deserving.” The emailer left their number and attached a photo to the email of Gurley in their car signing a mini-helmet that was later sold on their eBay store.
Here’s the interesting thing. The emailer admitted that he or she was from Georgia and asked to remain anonymous otherwise they would be “crucified” if others learned their true identity.
SB Nation did their own investigating and determined that the tip was authentic.
When Gurley was suspended on Thursday, SB Nation’s Steven Godfrey called the emailer. After Godfrey identified himself and confirmed that he was talking to the right person, the caller said the following according to the article on SB Nation entitled “An autograph dealer tried to tattle on Todd Gurley. Here’s the email“.
“I know why you’re calling. I’m sorry, I can’t talk right now. I know why you’re calling me, and it’s because he just got suspended. Gurley got suspended,” the person said.
According to the story, all the person was asked for was his or her name which led to the that response.
The person went on to say, “I’ve got like, 25 more people calling me right now about this. I can’t talk right now. I can’t say anything.”
At that point, the emailer hung up. And when SB Nation tried to contact them again, the individual changed their tune. He or she did not want to meet, they denied ever sending the email and they denied having anything to do with Gurley being suspended.
My question is, what did the person think would happen when the story got released? Did they think Georgia and the NCAA would throw Todd Gurley a parade? Something tells me that there is more to this story because it just doesn’t make sense from a common sense standpoint.