When Todd Gurley walks onto the University of Georgia campus, it’s not just nostalgia that hits him — it’s pride. The roars of Sanford Stadium may have faded into memory, but for the Bulldog faithful, the name Todd Gurley still echoes louder than ever.
From 2012 to 2014, Gurley wasn’t just another running back. He was a force of nature — the kind of player who made you hold your breath every time he touched the football. Now, years after his final game in Athens, Gurley looks back on his time as a Georgia Bulldog with gratitude, humility, and that signature fire that made him a legend.
“I’ll always be a Dawg,” Gurley said recently. “Once you put on that red and black, it stays with you forever.”
A Freshman Phenom
When Gurley arrived at Georgia in 2012, expectations were sky-high. A four-star recruit out of Tarboro, North Carolina, he was one of the top running back prospects in the country. But few could have predicted just how quickly he would take over college football.
In his very first game, Gurley exploded for 100 yards and two touchdowns — and never looked back. His blend of size, speed, and power made him nearly impossible to tackle. By the end of his freshman season, he had rushed for 1,385 yards and 17 touchdowns, earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors.
He helped lead Georgia to the SEC Championship Game, where the Bulldogs came within inches of a national title berth. Fans began comparing him to legends like Herschel Walker — and while Gurley brushed off the comparisons, his performances spoke for themselves.
“Every time he got the ball, you just knew something special could happen,” former teammate Aaron Murray once said. “He had that rare combination — the burst, the vision, and the attitude.”
Dominance Through Adversity
If Gurley’s freshman season was about introduction, his sophomore year was about domination. In 2013, despite missing time due to injury, he still racked up 1,430 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning All-SEC honors and becoming a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation’s top running back.
But beyond the stats, what stood out was Gurley’s mentality.
“Even when he was hurt, he’d be on the sidelines hyping everyone up,” said head coach Mark Richt. “He was the ultimate teammate. He wanted to win more than anything.”
His runs were a mix of elegance and violence — a 230-pound back with the agility of a wide receiver and the heart of a linebacker. Defenders dreaded trying to bring him down.
“I loved contact,” Gurley later admitted with a grin. “If you were in my way, I was gonna make you feel it.”
The Unforgettable Legacy
By 2014, Gurley had become one of college football’s biggest stars. Every Georgia game felt like a showcase for the NFL’s next great running back. But that season also brought heartbreak — a suspension that sidelined him for part of the year, followed by a torn ACL that ended his college career prematurely.
Yet even in those painful moments, Gurley’s legacy only grew stronger. Fans rallied behind him, showing a level of support that would define his relationship with Georgia forever.
“I’ll never forget that love,” Gurley said. “Georgia fans — they don’t just cheer for you when you’re up. They stay with you when you’re down. That’s family.”
He declared for the 2015 NFL Draft, where the St. Louis Rams selected him 10th overall. Less than a year removed from knee surgery, Gurley stormed onto the NFL scene and won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors — proof that the Dawg spirit never fades.
From Athens to the NFL — and Beyond
In the NFL, Gurley became a household name. With the Rams (and later the Falcons), he racked up over 6,000 career rushing yards, earned two All-Pro selections, and helped lead Los Angeles to a Super Bowl appearance.
But no matter how bright the spotlight got, Gurley never forgot where it all started.
“I learned everything at Georgia,” he reflected. “How to compete, how to handle pressure, how to be a man. That program molded me.”
He’s been back to Athens several times since hanging up his cleats, often seen on the sidelines mentoring current players or cheering during big games. His message to them is always the same:
“Appreciate every moment. You don’t realize how special it is until it’s gone.”
A Symbol of What It Means to Be a ‘DGD’
At Georgia, there’s a phrase that gets thrown around often: “DGD” — Damn Good Dawg.
It’s a badge of honor reserved for players who represent the program with excellence, grit, and pride — both on and off the field. Todd Gurley fits that definition perfectly.
He didn’t just play football at Georgia; he embodied the spirit of it. The drive, the toughness, the loyalty.
“Once a Dawg, always a Dawg,” Gurley said, smiling. “That’s not just a saying. That’s a lifestyle.”
Today, as he steps into life beyond football, Gurley remains deeply connected to the UGA community. Whether it’s mentoring young athletes, supporting charities in Georgia, or simply showing up on game day, his presence still commands respect — from players, coaches, and fans alike.
“I owe Georgia everything,” he said. “It gave me an opportunity, a family, and a legacy. And no matter where I go, that ‘G’ stays on my heart.”
The Dawg Who Never Left
For the Bulldogs’ faithful, Todd Gurley will always be more than just a former player — he’s a symbol of what it means to give everything to the game, to the team, and to the fans who cheer from the stands.
His highlight runs still play on the big screens in Athens. Kids still wear his jersey. And whenever the crowd chants “Go Dawgs,” somewhere out there, Todd Gurley is smiling — knowing that his chapter in Georgia history is written in bold.
Because legends don’t fade. They just pass the torch.
And Todd Gurley? He’ll forever be a Damn Good Dawg.
