The running back position remains the most notorious position in American Football. While once vaunted, players at the position remain prone to injuries owing to the physical nature of the sport and the playstyle demanding multiple hits and contacts on every snap. In the last few years, no name has seen a steeper decline in the position due to injuries than perhaps Todd Gurley. The former RB was off to a remarkable start in his career. His four-star recruit status out of high school was well-justified. During his high school playing days in North Carolina, he suited up as a running back as well as a defensive back. He put together a remarkable junior campaign that deigned him the All-Area Offensive Player of the Year. As a senior, he was even better winning the North Carolina AP Player of the Year. He was instrumental in leading the Vikings football team to the 2A North Carolina State Championship, before heading to the University of Georgia.
An immediate addition to the Bulldogs team, Gurley trailed one man in rushing yards in the entire SEC. He also finished third all-time on the school’s record books for rushing touchdowns, before being named First-Team All-SEC. Strong showings in his sophomore and junior years catapulted Todd into second place in school history for rushing yards and touchdowns despite missing a significant chunk of the season due to a suspension, followed by a torn ACL.
Making his way to the NFL amidst much fanfare, Gurley went 10th overall to the St. Louis Rams. While it initially seemed like he would join the party late due to recovery from the ACL injury, a quick rehabilitation process allowed Todd to prepare for the upcoming season quickly, entering in Week 3. He compiled the most yards in NFL history in his first 4 starts. His sensational play saw him compile 1,000+ rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in just 12 starts. He was named to the Pro Bowl and the All-Rookie Team while becoming the NFL Offensive Rookie Of The Year. After a down year 2, Gurley rebounded back to form. Winning the NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Todd led the league in touchdowns and yards. He finished second in scoring among non-kickers and rushing yards, despite sitting out the last game of the season. Another Pro Bowl, along with his first-team All-Pro appearance followed suit, marks he would repeat the next year as well. He finished the 2017 season second in MVP voting to Tom Brady.
Signing a four-year, $60 million contract that made him the highest-paid RB in the game, 2018 seemed to be another landmark year for Todd. Unfortunately, it became a purveyor of doom.
What is Todd Gurley’s Height?
Todd Gurley has a recorded height of 6 feet and 1 inch or 1.85 meters. Despite being a tad undersized, his 102 kg frame allowed Gurley to thrive at the Running Back position. While he started off strong as a high school and collegiate athlete, his NFL career was off to a skyrocket start that saw his name be taken in the same breath as Tom Brady. However, the perils of the RB position and his short frame came through at the tail-end of the 2018 season, his last awesome run in the NFL.
Todd Jerome Gurley II was born on August 3, 1994, in Baltimore, Maryland. He would spend his high school career in Tarboro, North Carolina before moving to the University of Georgia and ultimately ending up with the Rams. After an MVP-esque season in 2017 and a record-breaking extension, Gurley looked poised to reach even loftier heights. As he doubled over his first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl efforts from the previous year, it looked like he was here to stay. While he did miss out on the final two games due to knee inflammation, that didn’t seem like too much of a worry. But, injuries continued to hamper his performance in the playoffs. Later, reports of arthritis in his left knee became official.
Unfortunately, that turned out to be the last hurrah for Gurley. Due to diminished production, the Rams released him following the 2019 season. He signed on for the Atlanta Falcons en route to a mediocre season. After not playing in 2021, his retirement became official in 2022.
