UFL boss: Omaha must give Clarett support system

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Maurice Clarett can't sign with the Omaha Nighthawks until the team shows it has a support system in place for the former Ohio State star, the commissioner of the United Football League said today.

"Just throwing him to the wolves, I wouldn't be interested in that," Michael Huyghue said.

Clarett was the marquee running back in college football in 2002, leading Ohio State to its first national championship in 34 years.

His star fell quickly amid myriad off-the-field troubles. He served 3 1/2 years in prison for having a hidden gun and holding up two people outside a bar, then spent 4 1/2 months in a community-based, lockdown dormitory.

Clarett called the Nighthawks recently asking for a chance, and an Ohio judge this week gave him permission to leave the state to attend an individual workout. A team spokesman said the workout hadn't been scheduled.