Grounded: Clarett upset about missing funeral

The Buckeyes' running back was given the opportunity to return to Youngstown for his friend's funeral, Ohio State officials said.
By ROB TODOR
VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR
PHOENIX -- Maurice Clarett has spoken out.
The Ohio State tailback said Monday that he missed the funeral of a lifelong friend because school officials never answered his request to fly home from practices for the national championship game.
Clarett, a Youngstown native, said Ohio State "gave him the run-around" when he asked to attend Monday's service.
"I guess football's more important than a person's life to them," he said. "That's why I'm ready to get this game over and go back home."
Ohio State officials said they told Clarett he could buy a ticket and submit a request for reimbursement through the NCAA's special assistance fund, which pays for such emergencies as long as an athlete demonstrates need.
"He elected not to do that, or couldn't afford that, or there wasn't anybody in his family who could do it," Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger said. "We were stuck in a place where the rule is we couldn't go forward and buy a ticket."
Jim Tressel, Ohio State's coach, said Clarett was never denied the opportunity to return to Youngstown.
"The best thing for all involved is to say it didn't work out," Tressel said.
Clarett's mother, Michelle, confirmed that the friend was Juaquin A. "Juan" Bell, 23, of Youngstown.
Youngstown police said Bell was shot multiple times Dec. 21. They said drugs, money, bullet casings were found at the scene. No one had been arrested.
"I'm kind of messed up now because they jerked me kind of," Clarett said. "I really wanted to go back. I'm not really supposed to be here. But it's cool. Things happen in life, there's bumps in the road like every thing else. But I'll be all right."
On the field
In preparation for the Fiesta Bowl against Miami, Clarett proclaimed himself 100 percent and maintained his posture of honesty, regardless of the question.
For instance:
UWere there any pro players he looked up to as a high school player? "I haven't really looked up to anybody."
UTalk about Miami's speed. "You don't go 'Wow.' Everybody puts their pants on the same way. Anything can happen that day. I mean, we just have a game plan; I hope we stick to our game plan and worry about ourselves."
UDo you regret some of the stuff in the ESPN magazine? "I don't regret anything I've ever said."
That's Clarett -- straight-forward, whether it's an interview or rushing the football.
Sometimes, it's a philosophy that gets the Warren Harding High graduate in trouble -- off the field.
Between the white lines, it was a style that made Clarett the most heralded freshman running back at Ohio State since Archie Griffin.
In just 10 games, he rushed for 1,190 yards, the highest total ever for a Buckeye freshman running back. He also scored 14 touchdowns rushing and 16 total.
Clarett was named the Big Ten Conference's freshman of the year, a first team All-Big Ten selection and was named to The Sporting News' freshman all-America team.
In the regular season finale against Michigan, he rushed 20 times for 119 yards, and had a key pass reception that set up the game-winning touchdown.
There's no telling what kind of numbers he would have put up if he had stayed healthy. He missed all of the Cincinnati game Sept. 21 after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. A painful shoulder injury limited him to just 16 rushes in the four games combined prior to the Michigan contest.
Part of the game
"I don't have too many emotions with injuries," said Clarett. "[They are] something that comes and goes. It's all a part of football.
"When you get dressed and put your helmet and pants on every day there is a chance we might get injured. It's a part of the game to accept."
Still, a completely healthy Clarett -- he said Monday, "I feel like I'm back to 100 percent" -- is perhaps the most important factor in the Buckeyes' chances to defeat Miami on Friday night.
Miami's defensive leaders have taken notice of Clarett's presence.
"When I was a freshman I was lucky to play a little bit," said 'Canes middle linebacker Jonathon Vilma. "I remember in the [2001] Sugar Bowl it was hard to understand what it was to be in the bowl, having the media and crowd around you and everything like that. To me, it looks like he's always had this 'been-there-done-that' type of attitude."
Ohio State junior offensive tackle Shane Olivea was asked about the "certain something" that Clarett brings to the offensive huddle.
"That's not the first time I've been asked that question," he said. "I would be lying of I said there wasn't a change. If there is nothing there, sometimes you're going to try to make every inch and yard. It's been evident throughout the year."
Added offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Jim Bollman: "There is not very many guys gifted as [Clarett] is in all phases of the game.
"He has pass receiving ability, picking up blitzes and pass blocks; all the different things, being able to function in all phases of the game real well.
"Usually, anybody who plays tailback for Ohio State is a pretty good ball carrier," Bollman added quickly.
XThe Associated Press contributed to this report.
todor@vindy.com