A timeline of events surrounding Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett:
Source: Cincinnati Post
January 2001 -- Maurice Clarett commits to Ohio State to play college football.
December 2001 -- Rushes for 10 yards a carry and scores 22 touchdowns during the regular season at Warren's Harding High School. Is named the Ohio Associated Press Mr. Football. He is also selected as USA Today's high school offensive player of the year.
January 2002 -- Begins classes at Ohio State after graduating early from Harding.
April -- Wearing a plastic cast on a broken thumb, Clarett battles three other backs for carries during spring ball. Head coach Jim Tressel says, "He's physical and he's having fun. He's going to be a good one."
Aug. 20 -- Clarett is listed as the starter at running back, the first time an OSU freshman has opened as the starter at the position since 1943.
Aug. 24 -- Clarett rushes for 175 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-21 rout of Texas Tech in the Pigskin Classic.
Sept. 14 -- Runs for 230 yards on 30 carries and scores two TDs -- with 194 yards and both scores coming in the second half as the Buckeyes erase a 7-6 deficit to beat Washington State, 25-7.
Sept. 17 -- Undergoes arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, later misses Ohio State's first road game at Cincinnati.
Oct. 16 -- In a cover story in ESPN Magazine, Clarett says he has thought about leaving college early for the NFL. The magazine also features a picture of Clarett tossing aside his Ohio State jersey.
Oct. 19 -- Injures his left shoulder in a 19-14 victory at Wisconsin.
Oct. 26 -- Six plays into a 10-6 win against Penn State, Clarett reinjures shoulder and does not return. Subsequently misses games against Minnesota and Illinois.
Oct. 30 -- Says he has received dozens of pieces of hate mail from Ohio State fans since the ESPN Magazine article.
Nov. 23 -- Rushes for 119 yards on 20 carries, scores on a 2-yard run and sets up the other Ohio State touchdown with a 26-yard pass reception in a 14-9 win against Michigan that boosts Buckeyes into Fiesta Bowl showdown with Miami.
Dec. 26 -- Flies with the team to Phoenix.
Dec. 30 -- Angrily blasts Ohio State officials for not allowing him to fly home to Youngstown for the funeral of a friend.
Dec. 31 -- When Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger says Clarett didn't file the necessary paperwork for emergency financial aid for the flight, Clarett says he did and accuses administrators of lying.
Jan. 3, 2003 -- Dives into the end zone on a 5-yard run, providing the winning score in a 31-24 double-overtime victory against Miami to give Ohio State its first national title in 34 years.
April -- Clarett sits out Ohio State spring workouts to protect his shoulder.
July 12 -- The New York Times quotes a teaching assistant at Ohio State who says Clarett received "preferential treatment." She says he walked out of a midterm exam but ended up passing the class after the professor gave him an oral exam.
July 29 -- Ohio State confirms that the NCAA is investigating Clarett's claim that more than $10,000 in clothing, CDs, cash and stereo equipment was stolen in April from a 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo that Clarett had borrowed from a local dealership. Clarett's attorney, Scott Schiff, later acknowledges many of the items belonged to the dealer, not Clarett, and that Clarett exaggerated the value of some items. In a statement, Clarett apologizes to his teammates and Ohio State for "any embarrassment this incident may have caused." Ohio State says Clarett will be held out of team activities "until and unless" his eligibility matters have been resolved.
Aug. 3 -- Clarett does not show up for a meeting with Hall of Fame running back Marcus Allen, which was set up by Clarett's high school coach.
Aug. 11 -- Clarett, his mother, former NFL great Jim Brown and Clarett's attorney meet with NCAA officials at Ohio State's St. John Arena. Clarett says he believes he'll be cleared to begin practicing in a matter of days.
Aug. 22 -- Ohio State says Clarett likely will serve a multigame suspension, upon approval by the NCAA, but will be allowed to resume practicing with the team.
Aug. 25 -- Clarett rejoins team in practice. Tressel discloses that Clarett won't be allowed to dress for season opener.
Aug. 30 -- Geiger says Clarett's suspension is largely the result of the tailback's misleading investigators.
Sept. 2 -- Tressel bars Clarett from practice and team activities 10 days after the tailback was allowed to return to team. Geiger says Clarett likely will miss entire season.
Sept. 4 -- Clarett family lawyer Alan C. Milstein says the player and his mother haven't ruled out a legal challenge of the NFL rule that prohibits underclassmen from entering the draft.
Sept. 9 -- Clarett charged with misdemeanor falsification for his claim to police in April that thousands of dollars in goods were stolen from the borrowed car. The charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and $1,000 fine.
Sept. 10 -- Geiger announces that school has submitted its response to the NCAA investigation and has decided to suspend Clarett for the entire season. Geiger says Clarett received special benefits worth thousands of dollars and repeatedly misled
Email
Discuss
