Todd Gurley joins President Trump at Dalton rally ahead of Georgia midterms
Former NFL All‑Pro running back Todd Gurley arrived on Air Force One and stepped off at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta before joining President Donald Trump at a Republican rally in Dalton, Georgia on October 15, 2026.
The rally, held ahead of the November midterm elections, featured the president’s primary Republican ticket: Senate candidate Rep. Mike Collins, who is challenging incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff, and gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson, who is running to succeed term‑limited Governor Brian Kemp. Additional Republican candidates for lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general and congressional seats also appeared.
According to a White House press release, Trump used the event to highlight a series of policy achievements, including historic tax relief that returned an average refund of $3,169 to Georgia taxpayers, job‑preserving tax cuts that protected 198,000 jobs, and significant private‑sector investments such as a $1.2 billion expansion by Pirelli and a $2 billion manufacturing project by UCB. The release also noted measures to protect ratepayers, support farmers and reinforce border security.
Gurley, a former Georgia Bulldogs standout who amassed 3,285 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns in three college seasons, was photographed walking alongside Trump as they left the Air Force One aircraft. His presence echoed earlier appearances by other Bulldog athletes, including current quarterback Gunner Stockton, who received a shout‑out at a February rally in Rome, and former Heisman winner Herschel Walker, who later served as U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas after supporting Trump’s 2022 Senate campaign.
The Dalton gathering marked Trump’s third trip to Georgia this year, reinforcing his outreach to voters in a state where Republicans are emphasizing economic growth, agricultural support and a “secure border.” The president’s remarks referenced the Laken Riley Act and a 17‑month stretch without releasing illegal immigrants into the U.S. interior, underscoring a stark contrast with previous administration policies.
Observers noted that Gurley’s appearance added a burst of local sports celebrity appeal, with the former NFL star known for his electrifying play during his collegiate career and three Pro Bowl selections in the NFL. The rally’s crowd response suggested that the blend of political messaging and familiar athletic figures resonated with the audience.
The event concluded with Trump urging Georgians to continue supporting the “America First” agenda as the state heads toward the November 3 election, while Gurley’s involvement signaled a growing trend of former Georgia football stars receiving prominent political platforms.
