Originally Posted 07/31/03--7:18pm CDT
I hated this guy from the first time I saw/heard him, and not just because I am a Penn State fan and he plays for Ohio State. It's a typical story. A big, strong, athletic kid from the wrong side of the tracks who channeled his anger and used his gift to rise up and get a college education. He loves his mom. He's proud of his roots. He has a bright smile. Still, for me, there was something not right. Earlier this week allegations that Clarett and other OSU athletes may have violated NCAA eligibility rules by taking oral exams in some classes last year surfaced. The NCAA defines inappropriate action in this regard as any opportunity given to an athlete that any other run-of-the-mill student is not given. This stretches from special treatment in the classroom to sweetheart deals on automobiles, stereo equipment, clothing, shoes, etc. Hell if I can think of one professor in college that would have let me take an oral exam regardless of my reasons. But, I'm getting ahead of myself. Even last season Clarett was attracting attention, and not just because he was breaking OSU gridiron records for freshman. This is the same Maurice Clarett that was declaring himself ready for the NFL after 100 college carries. The same Clarett that blasted OSU and its administration when they would not subsidize a trip he wanted to make back to his hometown to attend the funeral of a boyhood friend. Clarett later apologized for his outburst, but the damage was done and his message was clear: I am Maurice Clarett, damnit! You should be falling all over yourselves to keep me happy regardless of whether or not that means violating NCAA rules. This week, we hear more tales that make college football fans wince. Tales of a confusing relationship between Clarett and Cleveland Cavaliers top pick LeBron James. Both tell differing stories about how well they know each other, and some comments made by James make it seem as though Clarett may have already availed himself of the myriad of illegal compensation schemes available to major college athletes with professional contracts in their future. Then there is what I consider the most telling revelation of the bunch. According to an AP wire story, on April 17 Clarett drove to an OSU workout. During that workout, Clarett claims someone broke into the car and stole "two built-in television monitors and stereo equipment worth $5,000, $800 in cash, $300 in clothing and 300 compact discs were stolen. The property wasn't found, and police have closed the case." Pardon my French, but WHAT THE FUCK! I was lucky to have $8 to my name when I was a college sophomore. I'm sure Clarett supporters will say that the car isn't his and thus the stuff inside isn't either. Fine, who does it belong to then? It better be a legitimate friend or a relative otherwise it is highly suspect and, in my opinion, a violation of NCAA rules. Besides. who lends someone their car with all that crap in it and says, "Here. Go. I have no doubt my stuff will be safe." And it gets better. Today Clarett apologized saying that he purposely lied about the value of the items in the car. HORSESHIT!! This is damage control. He is trying to avoid being investigated for all of the rule violating stuff in that car by saying "mea culpa" I tried to get something for nothing as any poor boy might (All of a sudden he's just a boy who got in trouble instead of the man he claimed himself to be last year when he threatened to go to the NFL.). Better to be slapped on the wrist for filing a false police report than to have to answer for $9000 worth of property plus a car. It's misdirection aimed at heading off the kind of investigation that could end his college career. It is transparent and an insult to rational people. Now I know many will say that this is just the way the game is played. Everyone is taking money or getting favors. And why not? Colleges whore these athletes out to make obscene amounts of money for the schools they represent but aren't allowed any compensation for it. So why shouldn't they wet their beaks a little. Simple. It's against the rules. The choice is still in the hands of the athlete. And when athletes like Clarett choose to violate NCAA rules because everyone else is doing it, it makes me sad not only for the state of ethics in general in America but also for every kid who doesn't take money, especially the ones that succeed in spite of not taking short cuts. I suppose I could have picked a hundred different athletes to write this about, but to my way of thinking Clarett deserves this little bit of infamy. Besides, who cares what I say or who agrees with me? If Clarett loses his eligibiliy, he can just turn pro and get paid legitimately, right?P.S.-- The NFL fully intends to fight tooth and nail to prevent Clarett, or anyone else, from entering the draft early. Current NFL rules mandate that a player must wait three years from the date of their high school graduation before they are eligible. So, if the NCAA finds vioations, we may have seen the last of Clarett until 2006. I guess he could always go to Canada for 2 years.
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