‘Super exciting’: Todd Gurley gives his thoughts on NCAA’s new name, image and likeness regulations
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Todd Gurley will be considered one of the top Georgia running backs in recent memory. He’s carried that success on to the NFL, where he’s appeared in a Super Bowl, has been named to 3 Pro Bowls and has led the league in rushing touchdowns in back-to-back seasons.
One of the low points of a successful college career, though, came in 2014, when Gurley was paid over $3,000 for autographing memorabilia, a violation under current NCAA regulations, leading to a subsequent 4-game suspension. However, with the NCAA paving the way for student-athletes to profit off of their name, image, and likeness, such practices will soon be permitted as they can leverage similar opportunities while receiving financial compensation.
During an appearance on “The Paul Finebaum Show” on Friday, Gurley touched briefly on the suspension and the lessons he learned.
“I was doing the wrong thing, and it came with a suspension,” Gurley said. “That’s not the worst thing I learned from it. It helped me be a better player and a better person, making sure I put myself in the right situation. But also taking responsibility and knowing the rules.”
The Los Angeles Rams star then gave his thoughts on the NCAA’s ruling, expressing his excitement over what he felt was an exciting opportunity for future student-athletes.
“Now these guys can make money, and that’s just super exciting,” he said. “I wish I was a couple years younger, but I’m super excited for everybody. That’s what it’s all about. Even the older players, they paved the way for me, and we’ll pave the way for the next generation.”
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
