[OSU running back] Clarett loses in Supreme Court

Chicago Sun Times ^ | April 23, 2004 | Brad Biggs

[tdadams]

Maurice Clarett's challenge of the NFL's eligibility rule was rejected twice by the Supreme Court on Thursday, meaning the Bears won't have USC wide receiver Mike Williams to consider with their first-round draft pick Saturday.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said she saw no reason to overturn a lower court's stay that prevents Clarett from being eligible for the draft because the Ohio State running back has not been out of high school three years. His second appeal to Justice John Paul Stevens also was denied. That means Williams, who has been at USC only two seasons but already holds numerous school records, also is locked out.

Clarett was likely to be a mid-round selection, but Williams was expected to be taken in the top half of the first round. Although he isn't the speedster the Bears covet, coach Lovie Smith and college scouting director Greg Gabriel visited Williams on Monday at his home in Tampa, Fla.

Williams did not declare for the draft until the NFL opened it up to all comers after the original court decision made in Clarett's favor two months ago. Both might have nowhere to play.

"[Williams] has done everything that [the NFL] told him to do, so he really shouldn't get punished,'' Smith said. "Do I feel bad for him? Yes. I think everybody deserves the chance. We're all working. Mike can't go back to school. His eligibility is up now, and he has to do something.

"He's a personable guy, very intelligent, and of course you can see the physical ability he has on tape. When you get a chance to know him, you can see what people really like about him.''

With Williams excluded, the Bears may turn their focus to Miami defensive tackle Vince Wilfork or perhaps Wisconsin wide receiver Lee Evans.

Clarett's hope is to shoot down the NFL on appeals and then enter a supplemental draft, which the league has said it would offer if it lost in court. That would appear to be Williams' only hope, too, though he filed a separate lawsuit in New York earlier this week. Both players will be hard-pressed to regain their college eligibility with appeals to the NCAA because they have hired agents and also might be short of hours in the classroom.

"It would be premature to decide one way or the other where the membership will ultimately come to rest,'' said Gene Upshaw, director of the NFL players union, which has long backed the eligibility rule. "But I feel bad for these kids. That was the risk they took when they applied.''

[tdadams]

Good decision. For one, this is hardly an impasse worthy of consideration by the Supreme Court.

Secondly, the NFL has the right to set rules it considers valid, legitimate, and serving of a purpose.

Third, despite Clarett's claims, he is not being denied employment of his services. He just can't force the NFL to employ him. He can be employed by the Canadian football league, as a college football coach, or for that matter, go to work at a car dealership. He's not being denied employment.

Four, I think it's about time a precedent is laid down that just because you're a superstar athlete, the world does not revolve around you, nor do the rules have to be bent to accommodate you.

Bide your time, Maurice. We'll see you next year.

[Thebaddog]

I have ten dollars that says Maurice is out of the NFL in three years.

[smith288]

Former OSU running back

[arichtaxpayer]

I agree 100% with all your points. The NFL can make their own rules, not some court.

[AD from SpringBay]

How in the world did this even make it to this point? The Supreme Court worried about this? Maybe the justices (at all levels) should get a day job if this is what they have to worry about. Or maybe the lawyers involved should be fined for wasting public resources.

[GreenLanternCorps]

"Would you like to Biggie size that?" -Maurice Clarett

[Pukin Dog]

Canada only pays big money for legitimate super-stars. Clarett would probably not get more than 7-800K his first year and if he did well, he could renegotiate. Clarett has not even really proven himself in College after playing only 1 season. I think the NFL will make an example of Clarett, and never draft him under any circumstances.

[Lyford]

[GreenLanternCorps]

7-800K Canadian works out to about 35 cents, correct?

[GreenLanternCorps]

7-800K Canadian works out to about 35 cents, correct?

[doug9732]

"The NFL can make their own rules, not some court."

This is nonsense. Apparently what saved the NFL is the union contract endorsing this restriction. Without that they would have lost an anti-trust case just like the NBA did.

[Polyxene]

I hope so, too! What a cry-baby!! OSU is fortunate to be rid of him.

[Lost Highway]

He just can't force the NFL to employ him.

Even if the court ruled in his favor the NFL would not have been forced to employ him. Only allow a team of their own free will to employ him.

[Ghengis]

I had no sympathy for Maurice Clarrett throughout the whole process. After reading this morning about how Pat Tillman made the ultimate sacrifice, my disgust for Clarrett grows deeper.

[tdadams]

OK, he can't force the NFL to change their rules, allowing him to be hired.

[sr4402]

How in the world did this even make it to this point? The Supreme Court worried about this? Maybe the justices (at all levels) should get a day job if this is what they have to worry about. Or maybe the lawyers involved should be fined for wasting public resources.

Activist Judges like on the Ninth Circuit. Kerry would appoint more of them in a heartbeat. He and the dems know that if you can't get what you want though the legislature, go through the courts. The result would be the death of our country.

[rogue yam]

Clarrett is a punk with a capital "P." He got in trouble for getting illegitimate assistance in his "African American Studies" class (for crying out loud!) and then said he was being picked on because he was black. The kid is a zero.

[rogue yam]

Clarrett is a punk with a capital "P." He got in trouble for getting illegitimate assistance in his "African American Studies" class (for crying out loud!) and then said he was being picked on because he was black. The kid is a zero.