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Clarett works on rebuilding his life, starting in Nebraska
TweetCall it redemption, or the more secular second chance or in sports terminology, a comeback; whatever its label, the story out of Nebraska this week about Maurice Clarett’s signing with the Omaha Nighthawks is the first good news about Clarett to break in years.
Clarett, Youngstown born and bred, football standout at Warren Harding High School and freshman phenom at The Ohio State University seemed to have the world on a string eight years ago.
For our purposes here, it is unnecessary to recite the particulars of his downfall, but suffice to say he blew it. In high school, he was to football what another nearby native, Lebron James, was to basketball. There are those who might argue that the only difference was that James was free to enter the professional ranks of his sport right out of high school; Clarett had to serve an internship in football. We’re guessing that it’s a lot more complicated than that.
Perhaps James or Clarett could explain why one’s career went so right and the other’s so wrong, but it is pointless for those of us on the outside to attempt to psychoanalyze or speculate.
But it is appropriate to comment on and applaud what appears to be a earnest attempt by Clarett to make the best of what has been a less-than-ideal situation.
Many men who have gotten a finger on the brass ring and then dropped it, have given up. Indeed, it appeared for years that Clarett had done exactly that.
Turning point
But today, Clarett isn’t in Ohio any more, and he’s no longer an 18 year old kid trying to get by on athletic prowess and little else. Today, he’s in Nebraska and not only is he saying the right things, but everyone around him is saying the right things.
He’s signed a one year contract with the Nighthawks in the United Football League. UFL commissioner Michael Huyghue insisted that the Nighthawks have a game plan for supporting Clarett before he OK’d a deal.
The Nighthawks have assigned Ahman Green, a successful college and professional player, to be Clarett’s mentor. And Nighthawks GM Rick Mueller, recognizing the time Clarett has been off the field, says the team will not push Clarett beyond his physical abilities.
For Clarett’s part, he won’t talk about the past, which can be irritating to journalists, who always want to get the back story. Maybe someday he’ll share it, but for now he’s looking ahead, and that’s what the rest of us should try to do.
Clarett is only 26 years old, and while some may think he’s already made a lifetime of mistakes, others can hope that he has a new life ahead of him.
He’s obviously been working toward giving himself a second chance, and others are supporting him in his efforts. It would be great if, against almost overwhelming odds, he were able to resurrect a career in football, doing what he last did best in 2003.
But even if his football career ends in Nebraska, he has an opportunity to prove that he’s learned his lesson the hard way and that he’s going to rebuild his life one way or the other.
The Mahoning Valley will be rooting for him on the field and off.
Comments
"For our purposes here, it is unnecessary to recite the particulars of his downfall, but suffice to say he blew it. "
WHY NOT!?!?!? HE IS A SCUMBAG THUG.
You NEVER mention Jim Traficant's name in any news story or editorial w/o going into great detail about his issues. Fair is fair. Remind us EVERY time you print thug Clarett's name how he was an ARMED THUG GANSTA.
@ 1970mach1
Why are you so jealous of this youngman and trying to make this a political football?
See just like everybody knows Clarett made a mistake and served his time. They also know he's a individual trying to resurrect his path and there's nothing wrong with wishing him well.
I'm not going to play into demeaning or disparaging Jim Traficant on the merit that you'd like that scuttlebutt.
BUT I WILL SAY
Mr. Clarett is a young man who'd never held himself out as anything but a citizen with considerable athletic talent,.. and he doesn't need your vote.
WHERE IN COMPARISON:
Mr. Traficant had far more victims, for a vast degree of durable time. To include he was no inexperienced youngster either.
He took public position to include a considerable amount of public funds salary. Where in return he didn't represent the taxpayers who paid him. And even held himself out as a head of law enforcement and federal law maker while on the criminal take.
YOU PICK EM
In a comparison of game play. When given the chance Clarett took the field against all odds and won that national championship game for us,.. WITH A MVP PERFORMANCE TO SHOW HIS SINCERITY.
Where in the game of politics and playing with peoples lives and jobs at stake. Traficant's performance not only lost those residents the game,.. BUT HE DID IT IN A MANNER OF POINTS SHAVING.
So now you pick that football up and dare try to compare the severity between one who fumbled and the other that threw the damn game,.. GOT THAT?
Where betting the line of odds making. In this fantasy matchup I'll give you Traficant and spot you as many points as you want,.. AND YOU'D STILL LOOSE !!!
Now do you really wanna try that triple reverse, flea flicker hail Mary play diagrammed as political pig-spin again?,.. THE OLE 23 WHOOSKER-DOO IS A BIT OUTDATED HUH.
good for him
people seek redemption
hope he puts his life back together
He can't get in much trouble in Omaha. But then we'll see.
i prefer to think of maurice clarett as the player who scored the winning touchdown.
"He can't get in much trouble in Omaha. But then we'll see. "
I take it you were never in Omaha with a comment like that.
SCUM!
I was hoping he'd get a chance and now that he will, I hope he wins a roster spot.
Most of the posts echo the same sentiments. Rooting for the "underdog" has always been an American trait.
On the other hand, there are some who are not convinced Clarett should have that chance. Being this is the USA, they have a right to their opinion. Maybe they are right. And maybe they're wrong. Who knows?
We can agree to disagree.
Silence
"I take it you were never in Omaha with a comment like that."
Haven't been there since early 90's, was stationed at Offuttf for a spill.
Lifes2short
Then you should be aware of the crime and general rundown condition of some of the neighborhoods in that City. Clarett can find all kinds of trouble in a Town like that
I sincerely hope he can stay out of trouble. Because he's been through too much. He also had his shot at the NFL, but he blew it there too (to put it lightly). As long as he is out of trouble.
Who starts a sentence with "see"?
@ theotherside
Someone far more intelligent than you. It's laughable that since you don't like my perspectives.
You've hilariously mounted a explicit charge. To do nothing less than exploit your absolute ignorance. In such the mellow dramatic delivery of duplicitous dunder as a mere plunder bum.
To wit boy am I ever gonna have loads of fun with you,.. LMAO !!!
Where Youngstown has produced loads of eclectic talent. It's without question you're certainly not of that distinction,.. see how that works?
He'll be back in jail within 6 months. He's nothing but a athletic gifted black thug!
Actually Nunya, I think it's hilarious how you butcher the language and think that using big words in confused sentence structures and fragments somehow makes you appear intelligent. It doesn't. For instance, this is not a sentence... "It's laughable that since you don't like my perspectives." Since I don't like your perspectives, what? lol
See here you hapless hayseed,..
Ahhh,.. it's apparent both my perspectives and vernacular has you vexed you vaudevillian variety varmint. The verbiage I employ aren't " BIG words " you witless little we willy winkie whatnot,..
They're established colloquial forms of communiqué you quibbling crackpot variety cone dome. Where in forms of affluent artistry as affectations in the English language you bi pedal buffoon,..how's THAT for a wrinkle.
Which means you're envious that I not only make more cognitive sense than a mere shrew like you. But I possess a plethora of manners to either tell our sidestep your hopeless trek to hell and have you looking forward to the trip,.. claim I pushed you?
So see thus in this Dr. Seuss on the loose rendition of " WHO SHAT IN YOUR HAT " you self sufferance rat. You're naturally playing your role of a soiled shorts swain variety sultan of syntax. Where I'll far more cerebrally use you as a punchline for punctuation,.. you pouting poge.
You know,.. like I did here { but who's counting },.. http://www.vindy.com/news/2010/sep/03...
So see barnyard billy, as the Rooster said to the dumb cluck. You just try to hold the feathers and I'll do the pouncin and pluckin,.. Got that?
So now in your laughable attempt to match wits with with a non Y.S. Shrew grad. Lets ask just how's that " Y.S. Shrew " caliber of cranial quackery workin for you in comparison?,..ROTFFLMAO !!!
I'll give you this Nunya. You are entertaining. Impressive? Hardly. You kind of sound like the Wizard of Oz when he is admonishing his visitors. Just like a cartoon. And as far as your superior intelligence? You just keep on thinking that. LOL By the way, this isn't a sentence either "...So now in your laughable attempt to match wits with with a non Y.S. Shrew grad..." I want to scream FINISH IT!!! LOL