Clarett Still Appealing - Dallas Cowboys Forum

Hostile · 05-25-2004

After latest legal setback, Clarett to file another legal challenge

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Despite another setback, former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett is continuing his legal fight for a chance to play in the NFL next season

Clarett's attorney, Alan C. Milstein, said Tuesday he was preparing a brief to present to the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in New York City. He declined further comment.

The next appeal would be before the entire 12-judge panel. Should Clarett lose that battle, he could appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

On Monday, Clarett lost a decision before a three-judge panel from the 2nd Circuit, which ruled that federal labor policy allows NFL teams to set rules for when players can enter the league.

In February, a lower court judge ruled Clarett eligible for the draft, saying the NFL was violating federal antitrust laws by blocking Clarett's entry into his profession with a rule barring eligibility until a player was three years out of high school. Clarett is only two years out of high school.

Since that ruling, Clarett has lost several attempts to get into the NFL.

The 2nd Circuit blocked Clarett from being included in the NFL draft last month, and two U.S. Supreme Court justices also turned him down. Monday's ruling means he still is barred from any supplemental draft held before the 2004 season starts.

Clarett rushed for 1,237 yards and scored 16 touchdowns as a freshman in 2002 at Ohio State, leading the Buckeyes to the national championship. He was suspended last fall for accepting money from a family friend and lying about it to NCAA investigators.

The ruling Monday declared Clarett ineligible for a supplemental draft, forcing him to wait for the 2005 NFL draft.

Clarett's options are narrowing. Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger has said there is no scenario in which Clarett _ who dropped out of classes this spring _ might return to play for the Buckeyes.

If Clarett is shut out of a supplemental draft, one of his few alternatives would be to go to the Canadian Football League. The Montreal Alouettes retain the CFL rights to Clarett.

Clarett's plight in the courts also affects Southern California wide receiver Mike Williams, who hired an agent after playing his sophomore season last fall. Southern Cal coach Pete Carroll said Monday that the university would seek to have Williams reinstated.

Doomsday101 · 05-25-2004

Kid does not know when to blow off bad advice. Right now he would be better off to drop this case go to the CFL for a year then enter the NFL. Right now though it looks as if his 1st big pay check or 2 will go directly to his lawyer

Nors · 05-25-2004

Is looking appealing to a CFL team right about now. Go get in shape and play some football.

scottsp · 05-25-2004

I have a feeling that the Alouettes' season ticket sales are going to be brisk after all this bidness is said and done.

Doomsday101 · 05-25-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottsp

I have a feeling that the Alouettes' season ticket sales are going to be brisk after all this bidness is said and done.

If Clarret is smart enough to go to the CFL, but quite frankly it would not suprise me to see him sit out which if he does will be this biggest blunder of all time

cowboy4322 · 05-25-2004

Why doesn't Clarett just quit already, he is just making a complete fool out of himself and making himself look worse than he already looks. All I know is that his attorney is making a boatload of money off of this.

Cowboy4322

Hostile · 05-25-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboy4322

Why doesn't Clarett just quit already, he is just making a complete fool out of himself and making himself look worse than he already looks. All I know is that his attorney is making a boatload of money off of this.

Cowboy4322

The last part of your post is the key. Milstein is going to keep giving him hope and options to try all the while he is rackign up the service contract hours. Once Clarett finaly does arrive in the NFL he will be broke from legal fees.

He took too much bad advice and is paying for it.

Jimz31 · 05-25-2004

Memo to Clarett: Give it up already. Your entire first season's check.....if not more, will go to a lawyer. Sheesh!

Nors · 05-25-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimz31

Memo to Clarett: Give it up already. Your entire first season's check.....if not more, will go to a lawyer. Sheesh!

Frank Coyle of Draft Insiders said Claretts Injury, maturity, decision making were so poor he was at best a 3rd round to day 2 prospect.

Jimz31 · 05-25-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nors

Frank Coyle of Draft Insiders said Claretts Injury, maturity, decision making were so poor he was at best a 3rd round to day 2 prospect.

And it is seemingly getting worse every time you turn around.

ravidubey · 05-25-2004

He won straight-up with one judge and lost with an NFL-based appeal. If the worst case scenario is playing in Canada anyway, why wouldn't you try to appeal?

The NFL's rule makes no sense. According to them a 13 year old genius could sign up for the draft but the 220 lb Clarett couldn't. The marketplace is the best and final judge.