ATLANTA -- The attorney of the memorabilia dealer involved in the suspension of University of Georgia player Todd Gurley is speaking out for the first time.
Gurley remains on indefinite suspensionas the NCAA investigations allegations that the star player took money from memorabilia dealer Bryan Allen in exchange for his autograph
Atlanta attorney Ed Garland said Allen regrets sending video of Gurley signing autographs to various media outlets. Garland said that Allen has since lost his job.
"Our message is we hope that Gurley is allowed to play and ultimately the outrage over this will be directed where it belongs, not at a young man who simply, when questioned by the University of Georgia, told the truth," Garland said.
Garland told us it was a one-time $400 cash transaction between Allen and Gurley, who he says met only one time.
Garland refuted any suggestion that Allen was out to set up Gurley.
As the NCAA continues to consider when Gurley will be allowed back on the field, Garland says he and his client agree the rules need to change.
"He believes, as I do, that these rules are absolutely hypocritical and bad and ought to be changed," Garland said. "A contract that takes away from an athlete his face and his signature seems to me to be an unfair and improper contract."
NCAA rules state that anything between $400 and $700 is a 2-game suspension -- less than that is a one game suspension. As long as Gurley didn't take anything else, he should be able return for the Florida game.
Garland said Allen has done nothing that is prosecutable, and he hopes it will all blow over once Gurley is allowed back on the field.
