It’s been an interesting few days for Notre Dame football. A day after news broke that an academic investigation was underway into potential academic misconduct involving four current players, a previously planned faculty appreciation day was held inside Notre Dame Stadium. Two days later, on Sunday, former Ohio State star running back Maurice Clarett visited with players and talked about his story.
Given the news of the last couple days, the timing of the visit from Clarett ended up being very appropriate. Clarett went from being at the top of the world to inside a prison cell in just a few years. As a true freshman, Clarett was the starting running back on Ohio State’s national championship winning squad in 2002. Clarett ended up never playing another down for the Buckeyes following the final gun of their upset win over Miami.
Clarett was suspended for the 2003 season after filing a false police report stating he had over $10,000 in valuables stolen from a behicle he was borrowing. This after there were allegations from a teaching assistant that the star running back was receiving preferential treatment. After the suspension, Clarett tried to fight the NFL’s age policies for draft eligibility in 2004. Clarett would end up losing his battle and despite being a 3rd round pick of the Denver Broncos a year later in 2005, he never played a single down in the NFL.
Clarett’s downward spiral ended with a robbery conviction in December of 2006. After more than three years in prison, Clarett was awarded early release in 2010 and has since become a motivational speaker using his fall from grace to educated others. Such was the case today when Clarett was on campus for a previously scheduled appearance in front of the team. While there, Clarett posted the following images and message to Instagram.
I had a chance to come and speak to the young guys on the Notre Dame football team today. Thx to Brian Kelly and the entire football staff for having me….. I was connecting with @everettgolson and another young running back in the picture below. In the short time meeting those young men I have lots of love for them. I could see that they wanted to listen to what I had to say. My experiences are helping others. I thank GOD
Hopefully Clarett’s story was even more of a reminder for the players of what a privilege it is to play football for the University of Notre Dame. Given the news of the last few days such a reminder couldn’t come at a better time. Even if the four players involved in the current investigation are not found to be guilty of any misconduct, the cautionary tale that Clarett can tell from first hand experience is a great reminder for every student athlete.
Kudos to Clarett for using his experience to help make a difference in the lives of young people. Hopefully others are able to learn from his mistakes and hopefully his message was well received today with the team.
In this time period of academics and sports you find that there are several schools with college athletes not attending class on a daily basis, yet not be found guilty of being caught. I therefore, for you all know the integrity of this sport falls under the guidelines set by the NCAA and Notre Dame falls under it first. My thoughts say they have gone to class, and have done their homework, and tests included. But to know you’re that one athlete attending ND, all eyes fall on your shoulders for the number of years your there until the day you graduate. I just know that every Division 1 school has 1 to several players getting a free ride having homework done for them. Just knowing that ND got caught first, or maybe not, time will tell. Hopefully every school is checked on and looked at each year. Hopefully this issue is resolved fast and these 4 players are given a second chance and allowed back on the team.
Hmmm. this is very Notre Damey. I harbor a secret hope that when the time is right, and the situation ripe that some day, in every good way, Will Mahone may return to address a Notre Dame team.
Lost in the powerful beauty of “Amazing Grace” the song, is the factual self-revealing story of the song’s author John Newman. And Christ Himself reminded us that he who is forgiven the most often loves the most forcefully.
When this first occured it seemed to me that it was a “teaching moment.” Well, they certainly have turned it into that.
Yea we are really going to throw any body under the bus. It’s a dam investigation , let go foreword and keep the rumors, speculation in check. Who the hell wants to hear opinions that are just that.
Never had much respect for Clarett but admire his willingness to turn around his life and help others.
As a side did you hear DD’s dad talk about his sons innocence? I would say that these “academic” issues over the past two years will impact recruiting more than wins or losses. Some kids will just say it ain’t worth it, especially if our suspended guys claim they are being railroaded.