Todd Gurley is a former American football running back known for his six seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Los Angeles Rams. Drafted 10th overall in 2015, he previously earned accolades playing college football for the Georgia Bulldogs.
1980: Herschel Walker's Milestone
In 1980, Herschel Walker became the first true freshman running back at the University of Georgia to rush for 1,000 yards.
1983: Eric Dickerson's Rookie Season
In 1983, Eric Dickerson set a record for the Los Angeles Rams as a rookie, rushing for 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns, a feat unmatched until Todd Gurley's impressive performance in 2015.
1989: Tim Worley's NFL Draft Position
In 1989, running back Tim Worley was drafted 7th overall, setting a precedent for high draft picks for running backs from the University of Georgia.
1992: Garrison Hearst's Record-Breaking Performance
On September 27, 1992, Garrison Hearst, playing for the University of Georgia, set a record for most rushing yards by a Georgia running back in a single game with 246 yards against Vanderbilt.
August 3, 1994: Birth of Todd Gurley II
Todd Jerome Gurley II was born on August 3, 1994.
2006: Steven Jackson's Four-Touchdown Game
In 2006, Steven Jackson, playing for the Rams, had a game where he scored four touchdowns.
2010: High School Offensive Player of the Year
Todd Gurley was named the Rocky Mount Telegram All-Area Offensive Player of the Year for his performance during his junior year in 2010.
2011: North Carolina AP Player of the Year
In 2011, as a senior in high school, Todd Gurley earned the prestigious title of North Carolina Associated Press (AP) Player of the Year.
2011: Competing on the World Stage
Todd Gurley represented Team USA in the 110-meter hurdles at the 2011 World Youth Championships in Athletics. He achieved a personal best of 13.66 seconds in the prelims.
2012: First-Team All-SEC Honors
Todd Gurley's performance in 2012 earned him First-Team All-SEC recognition by the Associated Press.
2013: Joining the Track Team
During the spring of 2013, Todd Gurley joined the Georgia Bulldogs indoor track team, competing in the 60-meter hurdles.
2013: Expanded Role and Victory Over Rivals
In 2013, Todd Gurley's role in Georgia's receiving game expanded. He had notable performances, including a win against rival South Carolina.
2014: College Football at the University of Georgia
In 2014, while playing for the University of Georgia, Todd Gurley had a season mixed with success and setbacks. He started strong, achieving career highs in rushing yards in games against Clemson and Tennessee. However, he faced a suspension due to NCAA rules violations related to receiving improper benefits for autographs. His return was marked by a season-ending ACL tear during a game against Auburn.
2014: Second-Team All-SEC Recognition
Todd Gurley received Second-Team All-SEC honors by the Associated Press after the 2014 season.
September 27, 2015: NFL Debut
Todd Gurley made his NFL debut on September 27, 2015, for the St. Louis Rams against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
October 25, 2015: First NFL Touchdown
Todd Gurley scored his first NFL touchdown on October 25, 2015, while playing against the Cleveland Browns.
December 22, 2015: Pro Bowl Selection
Todd Gurley's stellar rookie season earned him a Pro Bowl selection on December 22, 2015, a significant accomplishment for an NFL player.
2015: Entering the NFL Draft
After a successful but shortened junior year, Todd Gurley decided to forgo his senior season at the University of Georgia and entered the 2015 NFL draft.
2015: Drafted by the St. Louis Rams
In 2015, Todd Gurley was drafted by the St. Louis Rams as the 10th overall pick, marking the beginning of his professional football career. This selection made him the first running back chosen in that year's draft and the highest-drafted running back from the University of Georgia since 1989.
2015: Drafted by the Los Angeles Rams
In 2015, Todd Gurley was selected by the Los Angeles Rams with the 10th overall pick in the NFL draft.
2016: Sophomore Slump
Despite a promising rookie season, Todd Gurley faced challenges in 2016. The Los Angeles Rams struggled, and Gurley's performance dipped, recording significantly fewer rushing yards compared to the previous year.
2016: NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
Todd Gurley was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2016, solidifying his position as one of the league's rising stars.
2017: NFL Offensive Player of the Year
Todd Gurley was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year for his exceptional performance in 2017.
2017: NFL Offensive Player of the Year
Todd Gurley had a standout year in 2017, leading the league in rushing touchdowns and being named the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
2017: Fantasy Football Owners' Charity Initiative
Inspired by Todd Gurley's success in 2017, some fantasy football owners who had him on their roster decided to donate a portion of their winnings to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Gurley's preferred charity. This heartwarming initiative raised over $10,000 for the hospital.
2017: Rebound Season and Career Highs
In 2017, with a new head coach and a revitalized offensive strategy, Todd Gurley had a significant rebound season. He achieved career highs, including being named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for September, showcasing his resilience and talent.
2017: Gurley's Breakout Season
During the 2017 NFL season, Todd Gurley had a breakout year, marked by impressive performances after the Rams' Week 8 bye. He maintained a balanced output, averaging significant rushing and receiving yards per game. Notably, he scored four touchdowns in a single game against the Seattle Seahawks, a feat unmatched by any Ram since Steven Jackson in 2006. This performance earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Week. He continued his strong form, winning the award again in Week 16 and being named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for the second time that season. While he sat out the final game to prevent injury, he still led the league in several categories, including rushing touchdowns, total touchdowns, yards-from-scrimmage, and all-purpose yards.
January 6, 2018: First Playoff Appearance
On January 6, 2018, Todd Gurley played his first career playoff game in the Wild Card Round against the Atlanta Falcons. Despite rushing for 101 yards, his team lost 26-13.
April 24, 2018: Rams Exercise Fifth-Year Option
The Rams exercised the fifth-year option on Todd Gurley's contract on April 24, 2018, demonstrating their confidence in his future performance.
July 24, 2018: Highest-Paid Running Back in the NFL
On July 24, 2018, Todd Gurley signed a four-year, $60 million contract extension with the Rams, including $45 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid running back in the NFL.
2018: NFC West Title and Pro Bowl Selection
In 2018, Todd Gurley helped the Rams clinch their second straight NFC West title with a strong performance against the Detroit Lions, including 132 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. He was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts. Despite being sidelined for the final two games of the regular season due to knee inflammation, he finished the season with impressive stats and was named to his third Pro Bowl. His performance throughout the season earned him a First-Team All-Pro selection.
2018: Partnership with Pizza Hut for Literacy
In 2018, Todd Gurley partnered with Pizza Hut for a childhood literacy initiative. Collaborating with the nonprofit First Book, the initiative aimed to provide access to quality education for underprivileged children, reflecting Gurley's commitment to social causes.
2018: Breaking Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch's Record
In 2018, Todd Gurley set a new team record by scoring a touchdown in 13 consecutive games, surpassing the previous record held by Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch. He achieved this during a Week 10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
2018: Ranked Sixth in NFL Top 100 Players
In 2018, Todd Gurley was ranked sixth by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.
2018: Leading the League in Rushing Touchdowns
For the second consecutive year, Todd Gurley led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 2018.
2018: Onset of Injury Struggles
During the 2018 playoffs, Todd Gurley began experiencing injuries that would impact the later part of his career.
2018: Start of Knee Issues
After a successful 2018 season, Todd Gurley began experiencing persistent knee issues, which would go on to impact his performance in the following years.
March 2, 2019: Knee Injury Revealed
On March 2, 2019, it was reported that Todd Gurley had arthritis in his left knee, raising concerns about his long-term health and future performance. This came after a Super Bowl run where his injury status was heavily discussed, with conflicting reports about the severity of his knee issue.
2019: Decline in Production Due to Injury
Following a stellar 2018 season, Todd Gurley's performance declined in 2019 due to lingering knee issues. Despite not recording a 100-yard rushing game, he remained a reliable scorer in the red zone. The Rams finished the season 9-7, and Gurley was released on March 19, 2020.
2019: Released by the Rams
After the 2019 season, the Los Angeles Rams released Todd Gurley.
March 19, 2020: Released by the Rams
On March 19, 2020, the Rams released Todd Gurley.
April 6, 2020: Signing with the Falcons
On April 6, 2020, Todd Gurley signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, hoping for a fresh start after his release from the Rams. The deal included a $2 million signing bonus and incentives for reaching performance milestones.
2020: Season with the Falcons
During the 2020 NFL season, Todd Gurley made his debut with the Atlanta Falcons, sharing backfield duties with Brian Hill and Ito Smith. He had some notable performances, including a game against the Lions where he accidentally scored a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, costing his team a chance to win.
2020: Playing with the Atlanta Falcons
Todd Gurley signed and played with the Atlanta Falcons for the 2020 NFL season.
2021: Absence from Football
Todd Gurley did not play professional football during the 2021 season.
May 23, 2022: Joining FCF Beasts Ownership
On May 23, 2022, Todd Gurley became part of the ownership group for the FCF Beasts, marking a new chapter in his career within the football industry.
October 2022: Retirement from Football
In October 2022, Todd Gurley confirmed in an interview that he had retired from professional football.
2022: Retirement from the NFL
Following a year of free agency, Todd Gurley announced his retirement from the NFL in 2022.