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January 2, 2006

“I read the news today, Oh Boy! About a lucky man who made the grade.” (“A Day in the Life” by the Beatles.)

You know, you really have to wonder about people sometimes. I’m certain that you’ve heard the news about Maurice Clarette. However, the question that is going to remain unanswered is “Why”?

For those who are unfamiliar with him, he was a star running back at Ohio State. Somebody told him that if he challenged the NFL rule about coming out early he’d win and he’d be a high draft pick. Or, to quote my brother, he thought he’d just cut a fat hog dead in the ass.

He didn’t, he wasn’t and the knife was dull.

Clarette was forced to sit out what should have been the remainder of his college career due to a mistake common to young athletes. He listened to some bad advice because it was what he wanted to hear.

When he was finally eligible, he didn’t exactly set the wires afire with the news that he was available. Somebody eventually took a flier on him, and drafted him.

Unfortunately, he didn’t even get a cup of coffee in the NFL. He was cut and from there his life spun totally out of control.

The latest humiliation being that he and a “friend” attempted to rob somebody, was recognized and took off.

Net haul, a cell phone.

Huh?

I’m sorry, but I find this whole thing a tragedy of a life tossed away. Instead of taking the time off to finish up his college years with a degree, he did… I don’t quite know what he did. But whatever it was, it certainly didn’t help him prepare for the NFL.

So in essence, he has tossed away his life. He was convinced that he was the hottest thing to come down the pike and that everybody would just part the seas for him if he so desired them.

Take a look around. How many other potential Maurice Clarette’s are we breeding? Telling the young athlete that he’s special and we’ll overlook his “little flaws” because he has the knack of knocking a ball out of the park, or delivering a bone jarring tackle. Or being able to hit the 3 pointer with consistency. Or has a flair for grappling.

Athletes need to remember that they’re members of society FIRST! They’re athletes second.