ATLANTA (AP) – Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has signed into law what’s been dubbed the “Todd Gurley bill” – making it a crime punishable by up to a year in prison to entice student athletes to break NCAA rules for money.
Deal’s office said Thursday that he had signed House Bill 3, numbered to reflect the jersey number of the famous former University of Georgia running back who was suspended from the Bulldogs’ football team for four games last fall for accepting money for autographs.
Gurley may never need to sell another autograph – the St. Louis Rams chose him as the 10th overall pick in the NFL draft last week, so his contract will be in the millions.
He was a leading contender for the Heisman Trophy last year when he was suspended for accepting money from a memorabilia dealer for autographs: $400 on jerseys and other items. Then he suffered a year-ending knee injury his first game back and announced in December he’d end his collegiate career to declare for the draft.
He gambled that the knee injury wouldn’t hurt his stock and he was right. Gurley became the first back selected in the first round since 2012.