The saga continues for suspended tailback Maurice Clarett, who is in the news again. This kid just won’t go away. It’s evident Clarett has caused more anguish than glory in his time in Columbus.
I say it’s time to say farewell to Mr. Clarett and pull his scholarship. It’s obvious he doesn’t care about his classes as he skipped several, and slept through others.
So why does Clarett continue to stay around? Possibility number one leads us to believe he’s just so mad at the university; he will do anything to drag its name through the mud. Another is with the latest revelation of these letters leaked to the Dispatch by someone, that they were purposely sent so Clarett could claim once again his FERPA rights were violated, and he could sue again. Even though Clarett dropped the original lawsuit against OSU, it seems likely he will file another one, at a later time. Both Clarett and OSU seem to have a lot to lose and it wouldn’t surprise me if both were guilty in some sort of crime or scandalous activity.
What other benefits did Clarett receive? How could no one notice that Clarett was showing up to practice in a car that was not his? Of course OSU is going to claim it had no knowledge of any of this, but it seems pretty suspicious. This also has me wondering, are other players using cars, or accepting gifts at OSU. Boosters often donate nice things to athletes, it’s illegal by NCAA regulations, but that doesn’t mean it never happens.
There are issues floating around behind closed doors, and it’s just a matter of time before the truth comes out. Everything doesn’t add up. Clarett is enrolled in classes, but now can’t go to his African American studies class because he has missed five classes and slept through others according to a letter sent by athletics director Andy Geiger. Another letter written by university attorney Julie D. Vannatta warned Clarett that he was flunking a class because he had not turned in assignments.
If Clarett fails the classes, he would not be making progress toward his degree and face academic sanctions, if not the loss of his scholarship. If Clarett decides to drop the classes, he would not be a full-time student, and as Geiger wrote in the letter, the last three games of the OSU football season would not count toward his suspension. Clarett’s’ attorney has advised him to stay in the classes, and said Clarett plans on enrolling next quarter. Why?
It would be pretty difficult for Clarett to pass his classes if he skips them, is barred from a class, and doesn’t turn in the assignments.
Clarett must be confident he will win his case with the NFL, because unless there is a drastic change he would not be playing for the scarlet and gray. I also imagine the NFL is not real happy with Clarett – he is challenging a rule in place to help preserve the league, because guys are just not ready for the NFL at a young age. No team in a solid mind state would want to take a gamble on picking up Clarett. If Clarett couldn’t make it through a college season, what’s going to happen with professionals lining him up and knocking him around. Maybe Clarett should stop following LeBron around, and actually go to class. Supposedly Clarett has been seen at several of the Cavaliers games, including one on the west coast. It would be pretty hard to get to class, if you’re on the west coast, especially when you don’t like to fly. There is a lot of speculation of what Clarett will do next, but I think OSU should make the next move and drop his scholarship if he doesn’t start going to, and passing his classes. Personally I’m tired of all the crap, and it’s time something is done to end this situation, and if Clarett sues again, it wouldn’t be the first time – So why don’t we bid him a good day and move on!
Ted Williams is a senior in journalism, and like his Splinter predecessor would like to bat some common sense into Clarett and OSU instead of a baseball. He can be reached for comment at [email protected].
