Maurice Clarett to headline Christian men's 2015 "Rally in the Valley" at Covelli

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Former Ohio State University football standout Maurice Clarett will be a featured speaker at the 2015 men’s “Rally in the Valley on May 16 at the Covelli Centre in downtown Youngstown.

Originally fashioned after the “Promise Keepers” rallies, the “Men’s Rally in the Valley” exists to bring men together in Christian unity for prayer, fellowship, and teaching.

This is its sixth annual rally.

Among the other speakers scheduled are Dave Roever, decorated Vietnam War veteran and motivational speaker; Tim Brown, author, educator and motivational speaker and J.C. Watts, former U.S. congressman for Oklahoma’s 4th Congressional District.

About 5,000 men attended the 2014 rally that featured Phil Robertson of “Duck Dynasty” fame.

The cost for this year’s rally is $20, which includes lunch. Entry wristbands can be

obtained online at mensrally.org or by calling Bing Newton at 330-427-6578.

Despite his troubled youth, Youngstown native Maurice Clarett excelled in football. In his

senior year of high school he was named the best prep player in the state of

Ohio. He was heavily recruited, but decided to stay near home and attend

Ohio State.

In 2002 during his freshman year he helped lead the Buckeyes to a national championship. Then

in a widely unexpected move, Clarett was drafted by the Denver Broncos on

the first day of the 2005 NFL Draft. That’s when he gained national

attention for unsuccessfully challenging the NFL’s draft eligibility rules

requiring a player to be three years removed from high school. He became

well known for his tumultuous life outside of football, including his

dismissal from Ohio State, several arrests, and later, imprisonment.

But the former running back for the Omaha Nighthawks wants to tell everyone that it’s not impossible to turn your life around. In November 2012, Clarett was invited back to Ohio State to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the

undefeated championship season of 2002.

Having suffered from depression, Clarett joined other mental health advocates in August of 2013 to promote the expansion of Medicaid in Ohio.

He has spoken at prisons, juvenile detention facilities and worked with youth football camps to share his story so that others do not repeat it. Clarett has also reconnected with Ohio State by taking courses and working out with current football players.

In December 2013, he was featured in “Youngstown Boys,” an ESPN 30 for 30 documentary, which included extensive interviews with family, friends and associates. And in February 2014, he was invited back to Ohio State University as part of a ceremony recognizing the National Championship team he played on under Coach Jim Tressel.