Be aware of your surroundings, companions, Clarett urges area youths
NILES
Maurice Clarett says he has been all over the country advising groups on how to stay free of the trouble that gripped him after a nearly mythical season as a running back at Ohio State.
Friday, he came home to deliver his message as the featured speaker at the 84th annual dinner of the Greater Warren-Youngstown Urban League at McMenamy’s Banquet Center.
Clarett said he has been across the U.S. speaking to people, mostly youths, to tell them the importance of making the right choices and associating with good people, especially mentors and leaders.
“I enjoy going around and doing it,” Clarett said.
Clarett, a native of Youngstown, was a star as a running back for Warren G. Harding High School in Warren, leading the Raiders to an appearance in the state title game. He continued his career at Ohio State, where as a freshman he rushed for more than 1,000 yards and helped lead the Buckeyes to an undefeated season and the national championship in January 2003.
But he never played for Ohio State again. After a series of off-the-field issues, he spent nearly four years in prison on a robbery charge. Since his release in the summer of 2010, he has spoken to different groups, telling his story of how he rose and fell so people can avoid similar mistakes in the future.
Clarett said one point he wants to emphasize is that youths need to be aware of not only their surroundings, but also of the people with whom they associate. He said far too often people go through stages of their life and are not aware of what is happening to them until after that stage is over.
Read more of his story in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.