NCAA Rules 4 Game Suspension for Georgia Star Gurley

29 Oct, 2014

The NCAA ruled Wednesday that Georgia star running back Todd Gurley must sit out until Nov. 15 for accepting more than $3,000 for autographed memorabilia and other items over a two-year period.

The school applied for Gurley’s reinstatement after he missed the last two games while the school investigated allegations of improper benefits.

But, in a decision sent to the school late Tuesday afternoon, the NCAA said that Gurley must serve a four-game suspension, or 30 percent of the season, for accepting cash from multiple individuals. The NCAA also said Gurley had to repay a portion of the money to a charity of his choice and perform 40 hours of community service.

The NCAA did not specify how much of the money Gurley would have to repay or a deadline for him to comply with that part of the penalty. It said it will work with the university to “determine an appropriate date for completion of the community service hours.”

Gurley will be reinstated for a huge Southeastern Conference home game against No. 4 Auburn in 2 1-2 weeks.

Georgia said it would appeal the ruling immediately, still hoping to get Gurley back for Saturday’s Cocktail Party rivalry game against Florida on Saturday.

If the suspension is upheld, he would not be able to play against the Gators or a Nov. 8 game at Kentucky, effectively ending his Heisman Trophy hopes.

“In determining the appropriate reinstatement conditions, a 30 percent withholding condition is consistent with precedent in similar cases,” the NCAA said in a statement.

Gurley was considered one of the leading Heisman contenders when he was indefinitely suspended just 48 hours before a game at Missouri. He has rushed for 773 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 8.2 yards per carry; ranks third on the team with 11 receptions; returned a kickoff for a 100-yard TD; and even completed Georgia’s longest pass of the season, a 50-yarder.

When the school applied for his reinstatement last week, Gurley released a statement acknowledging that he broke NCAA rules.

“I want to thank the university, coaches, teammates, and the Bulldog Nation for their patience and support,” he said. “I take full responsibility for the mistakes I made, and I can’t thank the university, my coaches, and teammates enough for supporting me throughout this process. I’m looking forward to getting back on the field with my teammates.”

Georgia pushed for the NCAA to accept a two-game suspension.

AP

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