Maurice Clarett facts for kids

Maurice Edward Clarett (born October 29, 1983) is an American former football player. He was a running back for the Omaha Nighthawks in the United Football League (UFL). Before that, he played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes. During his first year, he helped the Buckeyes win a national championship.

Clarett later faced many challenges in his life. After leaving Ohio State, he went through some difficult times and legal issues. However, after these experiences, he focused on turning his life around. He became a public speaker, openly sharing his past struggles and how he recovered. More recently, Clarett started a behavioral health agency in Youngstown, Ohio, and was appointed to the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce Board in 2022.

Football Journey

High School Days

Maurice Clarett first showed his amazing talent as a tailback at Austintown-Fitch High School. He then moved to Warren G. Harding High School and quickly became known across the country. When he graduated, many national sports publications listed him as one of the top 100 players in the nation. He was also chosen for the 2002 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Clarett received offers from many top universities. He decided to play for Ohio State University, even though he also had offers from schools like Notre Dame and the University of Miami. Ohio State's coach, Jim Tressel, had coached in Clarett's hometown before. Clarett was named the USA Today Offensive High School Player of the Year and a Parade All-American.

College Success

Clarett played for Ohio State for one season. He ran for 1,237 yards, which was a record for a freshman at the time. He also scored 18 touchdowns. His amazing play helped the Buckeyes achieve a perfect 14–0 record and win the 2002 BCS National Championship.

In the 2003 Fiesta Bowl championship game, he scored the winning touchdown against Miami with a five-yard run in the second overtime. He also made a crucial defensive play in that game. He took the ball from Miami's safety Sean Taylor after an interception. After this play, Ohio State kicked a field goal, which gave them a 10-point lead at the time. Clarett was the first freshman since 1995 to be the top rusher on a national championship team.

Leaving Ohio State

Maurice Clarett's time at Ohio State University also included some challenges. He was suspended for the 2003 season. After this, Clarett tried to join the 2004 NFL draft early, even though the NFL had rules about how long a player had to be out of high school. He won his case in a trial, but a higher court later overturned the decision. This meant he could not enter the draft that year.

National Football League

After his college career, Clarett tried to enter the 2004 NFL draft. He challenged the NFL's rule that players must wait three years after high school to be drafted. A judge initially ruled that the NFL could not stop him from joining the 2004 draft. However, a higher court later reversed this decision. The Supreme Court also refused to hear his appeal. This meant Clarett could not enter the draft until 2005.

In February 2005, Clarett took part in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. This is where college players show their skills to professional teams. He ran a slower-than-expected 40-yard dash and then chose not to participate further. Some sports media called him "Slow-Mo" because of his performance.

2005 NFL Draft

In a surprising move, the Denver Broncos drafted Clarett in the 2005 NFL Draft. He was the 101st pick overall, chosen in the third round. Many experts thought he might not be drafted at all, or would be picked much later.

However, Clarett did not perform well during the Broncos' preseason training camp. He had not played in a game for two years and was overweight. He also struggled to recover from an injury. Despite these issues, he signed a four-year contract with the Broncos in July 2005. This deal was designed to pay him more if he performed very well, but it meant he gave up some guaranteed money.

After more disappointments and issues with his coaches, Clarett was released by the Broncos on August 28, 2005. This was only a month after he signed his contract and before he played in any NFL game. No other team showed interest in signing him.

After the NFL

After his college and NFL careers ended, reports said that Clarett was in debt from legal fees. He had turned down a traditional signing bonus from Denver, hoping for a contract that would pay him like a star player if he succeeded.

Exploring Other Football Options

In December 2005, Clarett discussed playing for the Steubenville Stampede, a team in the American Indoor Football League. He also showed interest in playing for NFL Europe.

Later, on August 23, 2010, Clarett was released from a halfway house. He asked for permission to try out for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. His request was approved, as he needed court permission to leave Ohio.

Omaha Nighthawks

On August 30, 2010, the Omaha Nighthawks signed Maurice Clarett. On October 1, 2010, he played his first meaningful game in eight years. He ran for 12 yards on 5 attempts. As the Nighthawks' second-string running back, Clarett finished the season with 154 rushing yards and one touchdown. He also caught 12 passes for 98 yards. The UFL stopped operations in 2012.

Life After Football

While facing legal challenges, Clarett spent time in prison. During this period, he focused on improving himself. He read many books on psychology and business. He worked hard to change his life for the better.

After his release, Clarett began sharing his life story. He became a popular motivational speaker, talking about his past and how he overcame difficulties. He often speaks at prisons and youth facilities, hoping to help others avoid similar paths.

In November 2012, Clarett was invited back to Ohio State to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the 2002 championship season. He has reconnected with the university, taking courses and even working out with current football players.

In August 2013, Clarett joined other advocates to promote mental health awareness in Ohio. He has continued to work with youth football camps, sharing his experiences. In December 2013, he was featured in "Youngstown Boys," an ESPN 30 for 30 documentary that included interviews with his family and friends.

In February 2014, he returned to Ohio State University for a ceremony honoring his championship team. He also spoke to a large audience, discussing his past troubles and his journey of rehabilitation and rebuilding his reputation.

Business Career

In 2016, Maurice Clarett founded The Red Zone, a behavioral health agency in Youngstown, Ohio. This agency helps people with mental health services, recovery support, and social work in schools. In 2018, a report from Youngstown City Schools showed that students who received services from The Red Zone saw their grades improve significantly.

In 2018, Clarett also became part of a business podcast called Business and Biceps. This podcast has been very successful, often ranking high among business podcasts.

In 2021, Clarett worked as a consultant for college athletic departments, like the University of Connecticut. He mentored players and encouraged them to focus on their mental well-being.

In 2022, Clarett was appointed as a member of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Community Involvement

In recent years, Clarett has spoken publicly about his experiences within the justice system. He advocates for criminal justice reform, which means making changes to how the justice system works. He even wrote an opinion piece about this topic for The Columbus Dispatch newspaper.

During the 2018 Ohio gubernatorial election, Clarett supported political candidates. He helped with a fundraiser for Joe Schiavoni, a Democratic candidate from his hometown. He also participated in an event with Mike DeWine, who later became the 70th Governor of Ohio. They discussed ways to improve education and job training.

On February 9, 2022, Clarett was appointed to the board of directors for the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce. This role allows him to help guide business and economic development in his home region.

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