AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > August > 11 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDon’t cry for Clarett
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tony Barnhart
I really don’t feel sorry for Maurice Clarett. But there is a lesson to be learned from his sad saga. If you’re the parent of a budding college athlete, it should scare the hell out of you.
As a freshman, Clarett scored the winning touchdown in the Fiesta Bowl that gave Ohio State the 2002 national championship. Today, less than four years later, he is being held on $5 million bond for a variety charges.
His self-absorption was evident from the day he walked onto the Ohio State campus. His year at Ohio State was marked with one incident after another which came from the same root: Clarett’s belief that his immense talent (and it was immense) put him above and beyond accountability to any societal structure. Not team, not university, not community.
As late as several days before the national championship game, Clarett was making headlines in Phoenix because the university wouldn’t fly him home to attend the funeral of a friend. His entire team was trying to get ready to play for a championship and the focus, once again, was on Clarett and HIS needs.
And when Ohio State finally gave up on Clarett, he demanded that the NFL change its entire structure on underclassmen to allow HIM access to the league. When the league refused, he lashed out as though a grave injustice had been done to HIM.
And today, Maurice Clarett gets far more media attention than he deserves for a promising life that was trashed at the twin altars of Ego and Arrogance.
Here’s the lesson if you’re the parent or a guardian of a potentially great athlete. Help them develop their immense talent but not to the exclusion of all else. Do not allow them to fall victim to the pathology born of the excesses of the celebrity/recruiting process. Remind him that while he may be a star on the athletic field, everywhere else he is still a kid and he had better act like it.
The sense of entitlement that this culture creates in young athletes can, in some cases, have some dire consequences down the road.
The chilling vision of Maurice Clarett in a bullet proof vest and handcuffs is living proof of that.
Comments
By Urperspective
August 11, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this
I agree that Maurice Clarett has wasted opportunity and immense talent because of his self absorbed behavior. His behavior was an combination of coaches and others giving him whatever he wanted while exploiting his physical gifts.
This vicious cycle happens every day in the US. Mostly black athletes being used by colleges and high schools in sports for their athletic ability. Once their usefulness is over they are disposed of like trash.
We know the world is not fair or perfect and anyone with half a brain, a good role model in their life or some realistic perspective about life opportunity will take advantage of their god given ability.
But so many young black and whites blow what are clearly great opportunities and the recurring theme with most is they had no father or role model in their lives.
Many like myself who had neither a father or role model still somehow made better life choices. It all boil down to decision making and individual responsibility. Maurice has no one to blame but himself.
By Dawgs2006
August 11, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this
Typical thug attitude. He gets what he deserves. Just think what Ohio State could have accomplished with him playing for four years. They could have been the USC of the past few years.
By JR
August 11, 2006 11:20 AM | Link to this
Although the five milion dollar bond seems excessive, I agree if Maurice wants to blame someone he should look at the man in the mirror, start there. Prison is full of young potentially talented men that could have been a doctor, lawyer or a great athlete but once in prison, you look like the criminal you are sitting behind the bars. Also, you don’t wear a kelvar vest unless you intend to do something, it’s not worn for style. He must be dealing in drugs, what a waste.
By wojoe
August 11, 2006 11:21 AM | Link to this
Clarett is a certified idiot. Enough said!
By Chris
August 11, 2006 11:29 AM | Link to this
Not trying to play the race card but this really looks bad for every man black or white. Not to many black males get the chance to attend college nor have the chance to play the game of football on a college or professional level. He had both and failed… Now another black male goes to jail because no one took the time to deal with him at a yonger age… This makes me want to work harder with our youth to make sure they dont end up like him… No one can help him now but GOD.. Its sad, really sad…
By Nitenurz
August 11, 2006 05:45 PM | Link to this
Maurice is to blame for his actions, but it’s evident that his fmaily, community and coaches failed him also. Even so, he should have taken it upon himself to break the cycle. He had the opportunity to mentor and be an example to his peers. But it’s not just the Maurice’s of the world, there are a lot of talented young people today but they are so full of self gratification.
It’s all about who can get the biggest contract, the commercials, throw the biggest party, etc. We all share the blame, its like supply and demand. We probably spend more on major league sports in this country than education and social programs combined.
Shame on you Clarett, you exsposed the Clarett in us all.