Who is Maurice Clarett? Everything You Need to Know

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Quick Facts

Birthday: October 29, 1983

Nationality: American

Age: 37 Years, 37 Year Old Males

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Also Known As: Maurice Edward Clarett

Born in: Youngstown, Ohio

Famous as: American Football Player

Black Sportspersons American Football Players

Height: 5'11" (180 cm), 5'11" Males

Family:

children: Jayden Clarett

U.S. State: Ohio, African-American From Ohio

Grouping of People: Black Men

City: Youngstown, Ohio

More Facts

education: Warren G. Harding High School, Ohio State University

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Maurice Edward Clarett is a former American football player. He gained national attention during his high school days when he won ‘Mr. Football Award’ (Ohio) in 2001. In the same year, he was also voted as ‘High School All-American’ by ‘USA Today.’ Maurice, however, got entangled in off-field issues, which included a juvenile detention term. While in his freshman year at the ‘Ohio State University,’ he helped the ‘Buckeyes’ to win national championship. He was drafted by the ‘Denver Broncos’ during the first day of the 2005 ‘NFL Draft.’ However, he was released even before the season began. He represented the ‘Omaha Nighthawks’ in the ‘United Football League.’ Legal issues, however, took a toll on his football career. He unsuccessfully challenged the draft eligibility rules of ‘NFL’ when he was deemed ineligible for the draft. He gained notoriety for his off-field issues which also included dismissal from Ohio State. It also led to several arrests and jail terms. Following his release, Maurice became an entrepreneur and public speaker.

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Childhood & Early Football Career

Maurice Edward Clarett was born on October 29, 1983, in Youngstown, Ohio, US, to Michelle Renee Clarett and Myke Clarett Sr. Maurice has two brothers, namely Marcus A. Clarett and Michael Graham Clarett Jr.

He displayed his football skills while playing for the varsity team of ‘Austintown-Fitch High School’ as a freshman tailback. Thereafter, he enrolled at ‘Warren G. Harding High School’ where his performance gained national attention. By the time he graduated from ‘Warren G. Harding High School,’ national publications had ranked him among the top 100 players in the country.

In 2001, he received ‘Mr. Football Award’ (Ohio). The award is given out annually to the best high school football player in Ohio. It is selected by ‘The Associated Press’ (AP). In the same year, ‘USA Today’ mentioned Maurice as its ‘High School All-American.’

Maurice received offers from ‘The Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team,’ ‘The Miami Hurricanes’ from the ‘University of Miami,’ ‘The Fresno State Bulldogs’ from ‘Fresno State,’ and ‘The Ohio State Buckeyes football’ from the ‘Ohio State University.’ Ultimately, he chose the ‘Ohio State University’ through a verbal commitment. He formally committed to playing for the ‘Ohio State Buckeyes football’ in February 2002.

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Football Career

Maurice started his college football career playing for the ‘Ohio State Buckeyes.’ He set a school record for a freshman when he rushed for 1,237 yards. He also scored 18 touchdowns and aided the ‘Buckeyes’ win the ‘BCS National Championship’ in 2002.

On January 3, 2003, during the second overtime of the 2003 ‘Tostitos Fiesta Bowl,’ Maurice scored the winning touchdown with a five-yard run as the ‘Buckeyes’ beat the ‘Miami Hurricanes.’ He became the first freshman to emerge as the leading rusher on a national championship team after Ahman Green from the ‘University of Nebraska-Lincoln.’ Ahman Green had achieved the feat in 1995.

Although Maurice excelled as a player, he could not become an international star due to his bad behavior and other issues. Year 2002 onward, he started struggling with issues like alcoholism and depression. During his time at the ‘Ohio State University,’ he was involved in several controversies. In December 2002, he misbehaved with and defamed the officials of the ‘Ohio State University’ publicly, leading to his dismissal from Ohio State.

Thereafter, he relocated to Los Angeles but there too, he struggled with problems like drug abuse. During his stay at Los Angeles, he attempted to make to the 2004 ‘NFL Draft’ by challenging the draft eligibility rules of ‘NFL’ which states that a player must wait for three years after completing high school to enter a draft. Although he won the case at trial, the ‘United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit’ overturned the decision. Subsequently, Maurice’s petition for certiorari was rejected by the ‘Supreme Court of the United States.’

Maurice was, however, drafted by the ‘Denver Broncos’ during the first day of the 2005 ‘NFL Draft.’ A four-year contract was signed by Maurice on July 28, 2005. However, Maurice did not play the preseason games and failed to impress his coaches during the training camps. Hence, he was released by ‘Denver Broncos’ on waivers on August 28, 2005. No other ‘NFL’ team showed interest in drafting him.

On August 30, 2010, he was signed by ‘Omaha Nighthawks,’ which played in the ‘United Football League.’ By the end of the season, Maurice had covered 154 yards on the ground. He also had a touchdown to his credit. Unfortunately, ‘The United Football League’ ceased its operations in 2012.

Legal Issues, Consequences & Life Thereafter

The police declared on January 1, 2006, that they were looking for Maurice in connection with two armed robbery incidents that took place outside the ‘Opium Lounge’ dance club in Columbus. Maurice was accused of carrying a ‘.45 caliber’ handgun and robbing two people before fleeing the spot in a white SUV. On January 2, he turned himself in to the police and was charged with two counts of aggravated robbery.

On February 10, 2006, Maurice was indicted on two counts of aggravated robbery. He denied all the allegations and pleaded not guilty to aggravated-robbery charges. He was subsequently released on $20,000 bail until the commencement of his trial.

While the aggravated robbery case was still pending, Maurice was once again caught on the wrong side of the law when he was arrested in Columbus on August 9, 2006. The arrest was made after he had taken an illegal U-turn in a sports utility vehicle which he claimed belonged to his uncle. The police had to chase him until he drove over a police spike strip. A loaded ‘AK-47’ variant among other weapons was found in his vehicle.

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On September 18, Maurice filed a guilty plea for all his charges. Judge David Fais sentenced him to seven and a half years in prison. The only solace was that Maurice was sentenced with the possibility to apply for an early release. However, he had to complete at least three and a half years of his term.

While serving his term at the ‘Toledo Correctional Institution,’ Maurice enrolled in a distance-learning program at ‘Ohio University’ to obtain a bachelor’s degree in ‘Geriatrics’ and ‘Gerontology.’

During his prison term, Maurice also wrote a blog about his life titled ‘The Mind of Maurice Clarett.’ The contents were uploaded by his girlfriend on his behalf. He also focussed on improving his mental health and read several business-related literature and psychology books.

He was granted an early release by Judge Fais on April 7, 2010. However, he was ordered to stay at ‘Maryhaven,’ an addiction treatment center in Columbus, for six months.

Maurice made efforts to turn his life around. He inspired many with his life story and emerged as a prominent motivational speaker. He spoke at many places, including juvenile detention facilities and prisons.

He received an invitation in November 2012 to attend the 10th year anniversary of Ohio State’s undefeated championship season of 2002. He was later given an opportunity to reconnect with Ohio State where he took courses and worked with current football players.

In August 2013, he joined other mental health promoters to promote the expansion of ‘Medicaid’ in Ohio. An ‘ESPN’ sports documentary titled ‘Youngstown Boys,’ which released in December 2013, featured Maurice.

He was invited by the ‘Ohio State University’ to be a part of the ceremony recognizing the ‘National Championship’ team. During the ceremony, he spoke at the ‘Archie Griffin Grand Ballroom,’ sharing his experience with more than 500 listeners.

Personal Life

Maurice Clarett founded a behavioral health agency named ‘The Red Zone’ in 2016. ‘The Red Zone’ has since expanded and currently has an office in Columbus. In 2018, Maurice launched a podcast titled ‘Business and Biceps.’ Maurice has a daughter named Jayden Clarett.

Maurice Clarett Biography