Nothing has changed regarding the playing status of University of Georgia running back Todd Gurley, but the most prominent tailback in Bulldogs' history gave his take on Thursday.

"It is a sad situation," Herschel Walker said on the Paul Finebaum Show on ESPN's SEC Network. "But I think Mark Richt is doing the right thing. I think Todd realized what he did is wrong. Coach Richt has sat him down, which I think is the correct thing to do because you don't want to jeopardize all the other players. If the NCAA comes in and finds something that they did was inappropriate, then the whole team, and everything they have done, is punishable. I think that is what is happening at Florida State, so that is why I am sort of shocked at that situation."

Georgia suspended Gurley indefinitely while the school investigates allegations that he profited from selling his autograph and/or likeness to a memorabilia dealer. Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston has had more than 2,000 items authenticated – many in large batches - by the same company that authenticated Gurley’s materials. Walker said the memorabilia dealers and players both should be held accountable.

"Kids ought to be accountable, but at the same time, we, as former players and as a society, should go after the people that put those kids in jeopardy like that," Walker said. "We have to hold them to the same standards, because they know what they are doing to entice the young minds to potentially lose his scholarship, his right to be drafted, or lose his opportunity to play."

Finebaum then touched on former Auburn running back Bo Jackson's failed attempt to reach out to fellow Bessemer Ala., native Jameis Winston at Florida State. Walker did not have much to add, only stating he agreed that Winston needs guidance. He said the mounting accusations could point to a potential loss of trust in the Florida State quarterback.

"I know this is not the time of Bo Jackson or Herschel Walker, this is a different time," Walker said. "But what is not different is right is right and wrong is wrong. What Jameis has done is wrong. You can say you are innocent until proven guilty, but one thing that is funny to me is that where there is smoke there is fire.

"You want to talk about the rape case, I do not know about the rape case, but I do know the young lady never recanted her statement. You want to talk about the crab leg situation. What I do know is the video tape showed him walking out of the store without paying for it. You want to talk about him getting on the table, students were there videotaping it. But now this comes up again and they are "oh he didn't do it" He may not have done it, but you have to look at it and see what his word is worth."

Finebaum brought up the difference between how Georgia and how Florida State have handled the autograph situations. Mark Richt benched Gurley immediately when the news came out, but Fisher has stood behind his quarterback. Most have pointed to the evidence and potential admittance that Gurley accepted payment driving Georgia's swift action, while nothing has surfaced connecting Winston to taking money.

Walker feels Fisher's actions are putting more than just the Seminoles' football program's reputation at risk.

"He represents the alumni at Florida State and if he graduates, then that is how you want to leave a legacy?" Walker said. "Florida State is a better institution than that. Jameis is a young man that needs some guidance and someone to sit down and talk to him. The coaches got to do that. The head coach there needs to say, ‘You know what, football is important, but when you get into pro football, you might not get slapped on the wrist like that. You might get thrown in jail.'

"Florida State is not just for Jameis Winston. Florida State is for all those fellow students that are graduating. All those scholarship athletes that are going to Florida State. All their reputations are on the line, too. It is just not about Jameis Winston and that is what people need to realize."

In Walker's opinion, that is why Georgia removed Gurley without hesitation.

"That is what Mark Richt realized," Walker said. "Todd Gurley is the best running back in college football and Coach Richt sat him. Was I disappointed? Yes, I was disappointed. But I said he is doing the right thing. People say they have more on Gurley than they have on Jameis. I have not seen it. I have heard it, but that is the same thing you hear about Jameis. We have not seen anything yet, and yet Mark still sat him, and that is what is important."

The former Heisman Award winner says he did not vote for Winston to win the Heisman last season because of the ongoing investigation for sexual assault. And he says neither player will get his vote right now because of the ongoing situation involving both players.

"I did not vote for him because of anything he did on the field," Walker said. "When I won the Heisman, I hope it stood for more than me just playing football. I hope it stood for me being a person, how I did in school and for me being an athlete. Being an athlete is more than just playing the game. Being an athlete is about doing more. I did not vote for Jameis because of that. The Heisman Trophy is supposed to be about integrity. Until his act is cleaned up, I cannot give him my vote. And it is the same time with Todd Gurley. Right at this moment, I cannot give Gurley my vote. If he comes back and I see a change then, that vote can be there. But at this time today, I cannot give them my vote."

Finebaum finished the interview by asking if Walker felt Jimbo Fisher was enabling Winston by standing by his quarterback's word.

"I do not know Coach Fisher, and he would probably kick my butt, but I think he is enabling him (Winston) right now," Walker said. "Because he put his reputation as a fine coach on Jameis Winston's words saying I did not do that. Winston put his own reputation saying he is not guilty on these other things, which we know he is guilty of. You are putting your reputation on a young man that has been seen doing certain things but he has told you this. Well coach, he told you a lot of other things as well. I think Coach Fisher needs to think about that and not get angry at people, because people just want to know."

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