Clarett works on rebuilding his life, starting in Nebraska

Call it redemption, or the more secular second chance or in sports terminology, a comeback; whatever its label, the story out of Nebraska this week about Maurice Clarett’s signing with the Omaha Nighthawks is the first good news about Clarett to break in years.

Clarett, Youngstown born and bred, football standout at Warren Harding High School and freshman phenom at The Ohio State University seemed to have the world on a string eight years ago.

For our purposes here, it is unnecessary to recite the particulars of his downfall, but suffice to say he blew it. In high school, he was to football what another nearby native, Lebron James, was to basketball. There are those who might argue that the only difference was that James was free to enter the professional ranks of his sport right out of high school; Clarett had to serve an internship in football. We’re guessing that it’s a lot more complicated than that.

Perhaps James or Clarett could explain why one’s career went so right and the other’s so wrong, but it is pointless for those of us on the outside to attempt to psychoanalyze or speculate.

But it is appropriate to comment on and applaud what appears to be a earnest attempt by Clarett to make the best of what has been a less-than-ideal situation.

Many men who have gotten a finger on the brass ring and then dropped it, have given up. Indeed, it appeared for years that Clarett had done exactly that.

Turning point

But today, Clarett isn’t in Ohio any more, and he’s no longer an 18 year old kid trying to get by on athletic prowess and little else. Today, he’s in Nebraska and not only is he saying the right things, but everyone around him is saying the right things.

He’s signed a one year contract with the Nighthawks in the United Football League. UFL commissioner Michael Huyghue insisted that the Nighthawks have a game plan for supporting Clarett before he OK’d a deal.

The Nighthawks have assigned Ahman Green, a successful college and professional player, to be Clarett’s mentor. And Nighthawks GM Rick Mueller, recognizing the time Clarett has been off the field, says the team will not push Clarett beyond his physical abilities.

For Clarett’s part, he won’t talk about the past, which can be irritating to journalists, who always want to get the back story. Maybe someday he’ll share it, but for now he’s looking ahead, and that’s what the rest of us should try to do.

Clarett is only 26 years old, and while some may think he’s already made a lifetime of mistakes, others can hope that he has a new life ahead of him.

He’s obviously been working toward giving himself a second chance, and others are supporting him in his efforts. It would be great if, against almost overwhelming odds, he were able to resurrect a career in football, doing what he last did best in 2003.

But even if his football career ends in Nebraska, he has an opportunity to prove that he’s learned his lesson the hard way and that he’s going to rebuild his life one way or the other.

The Mahoning Valley will be rooting for him on the field and off.