Georgia Gov. signs 'Todd Gurley bill'
It is now a crime in the state of Georgia to try to tempt college athletes to break NCAA rules in exchange for money.
According to the Associated Press, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal signed the “Todd Gurley bill,” formally known as House Bill 3 (for Gurley’s jersey number), on Thursday, which makes enticing student-athletes to break rules for money punishable by up to a year in prison.
Gurley, the former Georgia running back who was picked in the first round of the NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams last week, was suspended last season for four games for accepting money in exchange for autographs.
Gurley was having a huge season for the Bulldogs before news emerged that he accepted close to $400 for signing jerseys and other memorabilia. When he returned to the lineup, Gurley suffered a season-ending knee injury and declared for the draft after the season.
Representative Barry Fleming, a Georgia fan with two degrees from UGA, said he began to draft the bill to prevent future Gurley-like situations.
"I was disappointed when it happened,” Fleming said. “But I understand the young man comes from a very humble background. His mother didn't have funds to properly repair the roof on the trailer she raised him in."
Fleming said breaking the new law could result in criminal or civil penalties.
"We plugged it into a law about alumni being overzealous," he said. "Now it's a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature. It can be up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine,” Fleming said. “On the civil side, the university can sue the person who does this for any damages sustained, like losing a TV contract, not going to bowl games."
For more Georgia news, visit UGASports.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
