Maurice Clarett Shares Words of Wisdom with Kentucky Football
The Kentucky Football “4 for 40” summer series returned Wednesday night with a special guest speaker. Former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett shared his story with Mark Stoops’ squad, enlightening the Wildcats on the life-changing decisions he made, both good and bad.
Started by Freddie Maggard ahead of the 2018 season, each Wednesday over the summer is dedicated to “4 for 40.” Kentucky football players enjoy a barbecue, partake in some friendly competition over tailgate games and learn life skills from guest speakers. The skills vary from financial literacy to table manners and everything in-between.
Clarett provides the players with perspective they won’t hear from anyone else. Allow me to date myself: he was the first college football superstar I ever idolized (notwithstanding UK football players, of course). Clarett was a one-man wrecking crew as a true freshman for Ohio State. He gained 1,341 yards from scrimmage and scored 15 touchdowns, helping the Buckeyes win a double-overtime, instant classic over Miami in the 2002 National Championship. Even though Mark Stoops was on the opposing sideline at the time, the Youngstown connections run deep.
Sadly, that title victory was the last significant football Clarett ever played. Chronicled in the 30 for 30 Youngstown Boys, Clarett got into trouble with the law. Couple with substance abuse issues, he was quickly out at Ohio State, then tried to sue the NFL to enter the draft early. Thankfully, his story did not end there. He shared with the Kentucky football what he learned through his troubles and how reading changed his life for the better.
Maurice Clarett never turned potential into superstardom on the gridiron. However, his story can serve as a cautionary tale and hopefully inspire a few Kentucky football players. Even though he was a Buckeye, thanks to Stoops, Vince Marrow, Courtney Love and the rest of the Youngstown crew, Clarett is an honorary Wildcat.
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