Todd Gurley, has allegedly joined the long list of college athletes getting suspended for signing items for cash, a violation of NCAA rules. UGA has suspended the heisman candidate indefinitely for a violation of NCAA rules, but the investigation is ongoing.

According to sbnation.com an autograph dealer has been trying to get a story out on Todd Gurley for weeks now. Here’s the email the dealer sent to sbnation.com (the name and cell phone number have been redacted):

I have video of Todd Gurley doing a private autograph signing ***. He has been paid thousands of dollars for his stuff over the last 18 months. I personally paid him for this signing on the video. I have bought and sold game used equipment from him.

I want no compensation. Just want someone to leak this story that’s deserving. If you have any interest, give me a call or email. I attached a photo of him in my car signing a mini helmet that I just sold last week on my eBay store.

All I ask is some privacy until we can touch base.

I live on Georgia and would be crucified if my name was released.

The video is about 5 minutes long but doesn’t show the money exchange.

My cell is **********

I believe this would be the lead story on sports center if ESPN got their hands on this. Hope to hear from you soon.
If this person is the responsible for the leaking of information that has resulted in Gurley’s indefinite suspension then it’s just a testament to the college rules that need to be changed. All of this can be solved if the NCAA, a billion dollar industry, paid players.

Paying players could result in less “NCAA violations” that have to due with players using their likeness for profit. It shouldn’t be ok that the NCAA makes billions off these players, but the players aren’t able to sign their name on memorabilia for a few dollars. Gurley allegedly signed 80 items for the autograph dealer, and received $400 (he was underpaid).

Gurley did break the rules and I understand that, but it’s a stupid rule to begin with. People use the defense of “athletes get a free education” so they don’t deserve to be paid. That free education puts a lot of money in the pockets of universities. However, being an athlete is different than being a regular student.

Athletes are essentially full-time workers and students. The universities should treat them as such and pay them their due based on how much their sport brings to the university. Obviously paying athletes would garner greater detail and it is a slippery slope, but it’s where the NCAA is headed, and it’s high time athletes get paid.