2014 College Football Thread: The Will Muschamp Memorial

[Tyche]

Kentucky gonna win the East.

[Anoat]

Sounds like the Gurley suspension is for him selling autographed merchandise? And also, someone really, REALLY wanted to snitch on him. http://www.sbnation.com/college-foot...tographs-email

September 30, I received an email. That email, with name and number 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 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.

The photo shows an African-American man with dreadlocks signing a red item while sitting in a car. His face is not visible. There is no way of telling whether it is Gurley or not.

After verifying a.) the tipster's identity, and b.) that this person has sold Gurley-autographed gear on eBay under the name provided, we let it drop, because the purpose of this website is not to enforce the NCAA's insane bylaws. On the contrary, we're all for players making money, and are thus editorially supportive of those bylaws' erosion.

So we let it drop. That was September 30.

October 9, Georgia suspended Gurley for a violation of the rules of amateurism, specifically "an ongoing investigation into an alleged violation of NCAA rules." Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports reported one source suggested the violation concerned "whether Gurley accepted extra benefits for his likeness with memorabilia brokers."

SB Nation's Steven Godfrey called the emailer. Once Godfrey identified himself and confirmed the caller's name as matching the one provided in the email, the caller said the following:

"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.

When contacted again, the individual refused to meet, denied sending the email, and denied any responsibility for Gurley's suspension.

We don't know who provided allegations of rule-breaking to Georgia (a request for further comment from UGA was not returned). We do know this, though: at least one memorabilia dealer pitched this story about Gurley selling his name for money. We know that dealer peddled it to multiple outlets, and that the language used in SI's article confirming the story from UGA's end sounds a lot like the language in the email we got:

The person claimed to have a photo and video of Gurley signing the items, but neither the photo nor the video showed money changing hands.

We know that someone on the internet really, really wanted everyone to know that Todd Gurley was allegedly breaking the NCAA's rules. And now, over the gigantic princely sum of $400 in allegedly sold signatures, everyone does.

[Kirin]

Yeah. Figures now are at 400 bucks for about 80 items signed. Someone really wanted to snitch, and Georgia is obviously self punishing to deal with it now. He'll be back before we play jean shorts.

[Headspace]

Didn't USC vacate wins for this shit?

[Serra]

For autographs? I think it was for Bush receiving like free cars and stuff. I don't think autographs were part of it..

[Headspace]

WE DONT KNOW HOW DEEP THE RABBIT HOLE GOES

[Akiyama]

The comparison of Manziel to this is kinda different (i've heard it around)

Manziel's issues happened in the offseason where things can be dealt with/pushed under the rug/whatever. This happened in the middle of the season so I could see the NCAA going "Yeah, UGA if you don't keep him suspended we're gonna revoke wins cause why not"

[FNH]

I don't think the NCAA will do a whole lot, they haven't in the last couple seasons. They seem to be losing their grasp on how much they are willing to push against the bigger schools/conferences it seems.

[Kirin]

NCAA rules are 1 game for up to $400 dollars in impermissible benefits. 2 games for more than that.

Only evidence against Gurley right now is a video of a black male with dreadlocks signing a red helmet in a car. No proof of money exchanged nor any proof it is Gurley. UGA is conducting the investigation right now and not the NCAA.

Right now, I see this ending exactly like Manziel. NCAA doesn't have any concrete proof, but will agree that UGA's investigation is adequate and punishment suitable. Sits 1-2 games and continues to play.

If the 400 figure is true, there's no way Gurley sits 7-8 games when AJ Green only got 4 for 1000.

Even hearing a few reports now that word is Gurley was offered money and turned it down. Since no proof of exchange happened no way to say for sure. Either way this leaker is just a gigantic asshole. (Not saying Gurley didn't break the rules, but the way this guy is going about this story is very asshole-ish. )

It is curious to me that the $400 figure is the exact cutoff point in the NCAA rules.

[FNH]

It is curious to me that the $400 figure is the exact cutoff point in the NCAA rules.

Seems kind of low too for 80 items.

[Headspace]

FREEON

[archibaldcrane]

MG3 GOAT

https://mobile.twitter.com/BadgerFoo...&utm_medium=fb

[Anoat]

UF QB will probably be back soon, the woman has retracted her complaint.

[Headspace]

UF QB will probably be back soon, the woman has retracted her complaint.

FREEON

.

[Kirin]

Gurleygate 2014: There is no official NCAA investigation as of now. Gurley has admitted the $400 figure to an attorney representing UGA's Athletic Association, hence the 1 game suspension right now.

Doug Cecil Maxey is the dealer who leaked this. He is a jean shorts fan who recently moved from Smyrna to Marietta. He has not been able to offer up any further proof of his dealings with Gurley.

[Anoat]

^
I heard the dude tried to extort hush money from UGA itself before going public and was promptly told FUCK YO COUCH from the university. So UGA suspended Gurley as a caution because they knew he was shopping to media outlets.

[Kirin]

No worries though. Georgia has the position covered.

[Byrd]

Tonight's episode of Great Moments in Gambling was brought to you by Mike Leach.

Sigh.

[Bregor]

Jonathan Papelbon is the worst.

[Serra]

gdi............................................... ....................