There are few things in sports more sad and pitiful than a player who not only believes his own press clippings, but comes to believe that he is not bound by the rules the govern mere mortals.
Maurice Clarett came out of high school as a heralded running back. In his freshman year at Ohio State, he helped lead the Buckeyes to a national title in the Fiesta Bowl. Then Clarett got stupid and arrogant. Deciding along the way that he no longer need to follow the rules, Clarett was eventually suspended and ended up sitting out what would have been his sophomore season.
No problem, Clarett thought. I'll just turn pro and take my talents to the NFL. What Clarett failed to realize, though, was that there is this little rule that the NFL has in place- one the league takes very seriously. That rule states that a college football player cannot turn pro until after his class graduates.
Again, no problem, Clarett thought. I'll just go to court and get the rule overturned. In fact, he was able to do this. What he didn't count on was the legal arsenal the NFL could bring to bear. Clarett's victory was overturned on appeal, and suddenly he was little more than a legend in his own mind (and one without a team).
Maurice Clarett could have stayed at Ohio State, gained some experience, gone into the draft after his senior season, and no doubt made some serious bank. Now he'll be lucky if he gets to play at all. Even if he does, it's doubtful that he'll make anywhere near the money he could have had he kept his nose clean and stayed in school.
Nice move, kid. Truly, Maurice Clarett is much more than your garden variety DUMB@$$. Yes, he is most definitely a top-shelf, prime cut, Grade A DUMB@$$. Clarett could have had it all, if only he had displayed a bare minimum of humility and maturity, two words that seem to be conspicuously absent from his vocabulary. If there is one thing NFL teams hate to waste money on, it's a head case who thinks he's entitled to wealth and fame.
Nice try, Maurice. Now how about you go out and get a real job. Hmm...you don't have a college degree, do you? You know, I'll bet the WalMart in Columbus is hiring....