Many people may not agree with the NCAA rule that players are not allowed to accept payment for autographs or use of their likeness, but the rule still stands. It goes without saying that many players have secretly made deals with autograph dealers to receive payment for years. On Thursday, Heisman front runner, Todd Gurley, was suspended indefinitely by UGA for allegedly receiving money for autographs, and it looks like he may have been set up.
SB Nation received an email on September 30th, which read as follows:
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 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.
After the story broke on Thursday, SB Nation writer Steven Godfrey called the emailer, and the conversation was as follows:
“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, without being asked anything other than his or her name.
The person who answered the phone did confirm residence in the state of Georgia.
“I’ve got like, 25 more people calling me right now about this. I can’t talk right now. I can’t say anything.”
The person then hung up.
The emailer has since denied sending the email and denied requests to meet with the writers at SB Nation that he originally contacted in the first place. There have been reports that the dealer has tried to peddle the Todd Gurley story to several internet sites. This should give college athletes a lot to think about when dealing with memorabilia dealers. Someone seems to be trying to bring down notable college athletes for a few minutes of fame.