Todd Gurley

Todd Gurley
Airman 1st Class Lauren Clevenger · Public domain · source
Name	Todd Gurley
Birth date	August 3, 1994
Birth place	Baltimore, Maryland
Height	6 ft 1 in
Weight	224 lb
Position	Running back
College	University of Georgia
Nfl draft	2015 / Round: 1 / Pick: 10
Nfl teams	St. Louis Rams, Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons

Todd Gurley is a former American football player who played as a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the St. Louis Rams, Los Angeles Rams, and Atlanta Falcons. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Gurley grew up in a athletic family and was influenced by players like Walter Payton and Emmitt Smith. He attended Tarboro High School in Tarboro, North Carolina, where he played football, basketball, and track, earning all-state honors in multiple sports, including the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. Gurley's impressive high school career caught the attention of college scouts, including those from University of Georgia, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University.

● Early Life and High School Career

Gurley's early life was marked by his athletic prowess, which was encouraged by his parents, Darlene and Todd Gurley Sr.. He attended Tarboro High School, where he played under coach Jeff Craddock and was teammates with Vinston Painter and James Wilson. Gurley's high school career was notable for his impressive rushing yards, earning him recognition from ESPN, Rivals.com, and Scout.com. He was also a standout track athlete, competing in the 100 meters and 200 meters events at the North Carolina High School Athletic Association championships, alongside athletes like Ashton Eaton and Allyson Felix. Gurley's athletic achievements in high school were recognized by colleges like University of Southern California, University of Alabama, and University of Florida, which offered him scholarships.

● College Career

Gurley attended the University of Georgia, where he played college football under coach Mark Richt and alongside players like Aaron Murray, Marshall Morgan, and Jordan Jenkins. During his freshman year, Gurley rushed for over 1,000 yards, earning him Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year honors and recognition from CBS Sports, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated. Gurley's college career was marked by his impressive rushing yards, including a notable game against University of Tennessee, where he rushed for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns, alongside players like A.J. Johnson and Rajion Neal. He was also a key player in the 2013 SEC Championship Game, where the Georgia Bulldogs faced off against the Auburn Tigers, featuring players like Tre Mason and Nick Marshall. Gurley's college career was cut short due to a torn ACL injury, but he still managed to earn recognition from NFL Draft scouts, including those from the Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, and Denver Broncos.

● Professional Career

The St. Louis Rams selected Gurley with the 10th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, making him the first running back to be drafted in the first round since Trent Richardson in 2012. Gurley made his professional debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers, rushing for 9 yards on 6 carries, alongside players like Ben Roethlisberger and Le'Veon Bell. He quickly became a key player for the Rams, earning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and recognition from Pro Football Focus, ESPN, and NFL.com. Gurley's professional career was marked by his impressive rushing yards, including a notable game against the Green Bay Packers, where he rushed for 159 yards and 1 touchdown, alongside players like Aaron Rodgers and Eddie Lacy. He also played for the Atlanta Falcons, featuring players like Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, and was a key player in the 2016 NFL season, where the Falcons faced off against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI, with players like Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski.

● Personal Life

Gurley is known for his charitable work, particularly in his hometown of Tarboro, North Carolina, where he has hosted football camps and donated to local organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the United Way. He has also been involved in various business ventures, including a partnership with Nike and Under Armour, alongside athletes like LeBron James and Stephen Curry. Gurley's personal life has been influenced by his family, including his parents and siblings, who have been supportive of his athletic career, as well as his relationships with teammates and coaches, including Jeff Fisher and Sean McVay. Gurley has also been recognized for his work off the field, earning the NFLPA Community MVP award and recognition from Sports Business Journal and Forbes.