Maurice Clarett, former American footballer running back tweeted the match between his former team Ohio Buckeyes Football and Michigan Wolverine. 

ESPN Films produced and released the 30 for 30 Youngstown Boys that detailed Clarett’s struggles nine years ago. The former Ohio State running back will be profiled on College GameDay in a feature called No Days Wasted that will explain how he overcame them.

Who is Maurice Clarett?

Maurice Edward Clarett was born on October 29, 1983 in Youngtown, Ohio. Clarett showed his impressive running back skills quite early, and was transferred to Warren G. Harding High School, starting as a freshman. Clarett achieved the title of high school superstar, even receiving  USA Today’s Offensive High School Player of the Year at the end of his school career. He chose to remain with Ohio State over offers from Miami (FL), Notre Dame, and Michigan (Buckeyes’ fiercest rival). 

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His illustrious career during his college years is reflected by the fact that he set the Ohio State freshman running back record with 1,237 rushing yards.

The face-off between Buckeyes and Miami in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl to decide the BCS National Championship, proved Clarett’s abilities once again, as Buckeyes swept victory with his game-winning 5-yard touchdown in 2OT. But several off-field incidents marred his career further. Accusation of Clarett receiving preferential treatment from professors, him arguing with team staff and him accusing the program of lying lead to his downfall. 

Consequently, Clarett was suspended for the 2003 season. He responded by trying to enter the NFL 2004, despite the rule being a player must be three years out of high school to play in the NFL. This attempt was a colossal failure. Clarett never made it to the NFL field, but he continued to explore alternatives.  

In January 2006, there was a case of two people being robbed at gunpoint. Two assailants were labeled unidentified, the third was Maurice Clarett. Clarett was eventually sent to prison for seven and a half years, eight months later. Clarett entered a plea bargain that would allow him early release after three and a half years.

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After his release from prison, Clarett recentered his focus toward football, while also opening up about his battle with drug and alcohol abuse, depression, and criminality. Clarett started The Red Zone, a behavioral health agency, in 2016. 

“I don’t want people to say ‘Don’t be like Maurice Clarett,’” he says. “In fact, I want the opposite. I want people to see me now and say they want to be like me. And I’m working every day to earn that.”