NCAA Adds Two More Games to Todd Gurley Suspension

Todd Gurley has been suspended for two more games by the NCAA, making him eligible to return for the big showdown with Auburn.

When the NCAA didn’t come back with a reinstatement right away for Georgia running back Todd Gurley, many suspected that they weren’t going to accept Georgia’s 2-game suspension.

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That was confirmed on Wednesday morning when the NCAA released a statement that Gurley would be suspended for two further games.

Here is the full statement from the NCAA:

"Todd Gurley, University of Georgia football student-athlete, must sit a total of four games, or 30 percent of the season, for accepting more than $3,000 in cash from multiple individuals for autographed memorabilia and other items over two years. Gurley, who acknowledged violating NCAA rules, must repay a portion of the money received to a charity of his choice and complete 40 hours of community service as additional conditions for his reinstatement. Gurley will be eligible to play on Nov. 15.In determining the appropriate reinstatement conditions, a 30 percent withholding condition is consistent with precedent in similar cases. Additional withholding was strongly considered because the violations occurred over multiple years with multiple individuals and the student received extensive rules education about the prohibition of receiving payment for autographs. However, the university’s due diligence in its investigation and the student’s full disclosure of his involvement in the violations were factors in not imposing a more severe withholding condition.The University submitted its original reinstatement request on Wednesday, Oct. 22. The NCAA requested additional information on Friday, Oct. 24, which it received from the university on Saturday, Oct. 25, and Sunday, Oct. 26. The NCAA issued its decision to the university on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 28.The university indicated it will appeal the decision. A membership committee which oversees the reinstatement process will review the appeal this week. The committee can reduce or remove the conditions the staff has imposed, but cannot increase them."

Some of the information provided in this release from the NCAA is new to many, particularly about these violations occurring over multiple years with multiple individuals. While most Georgia fans will cry foul, given the facts now known, it’s not a completely unfair ruling.

This means that Gurley will miss this week’s game against Florida, and will also miss the following week on the road at Kentucky.

Per the ESPN report, Gurley must also donate a portion of the money received, and perform 40 hours of community service.

The University of Georgia plans to appeal the NCAA ruling, but any appeal would likely not be completed in time for this week’s game.