Area men 'Called to Lead' at annual rally at Covelli Centre

YOUNGSTOWN

While many men in prison exercise to build their muscles, former Ohio State University Buckeyes running back Maurice Clarett worked to build his mind.

“I found out that I enjoyed reading,” he told an estimated 3,000 men and boys who attended Saturday’s sixth annual Men’s Rally in the Valley event at the Covelli Centre. “I probably read 250 to 300 books.”

The seven-hour gathering, themed “Called to Lead,” was to encourage men of all ages “to step up to the plate and to be what [God] wants us to be in our homes, churches and communities,” noted Walter “Bing” Newton, organizer.

Offerings included motivational speeches, 54 ministry tables and plenty of fellowship, music and prayer. A variety of religious and motivational books, compact discs, DVDs, T-shirts and bracelets also were available.

“I feel God’s increasing my platform to serve others,” Clarett told his audience, adding that he also feels called to espouse leadership skills to young people, many of whom can relate to aspects of his story.

Clarett, who owns a commercial cleaning business in Columbus, received cheers when he recalled having found God in June 2012 while in Omaha, Neb., where he played one season for the Omaha Nighthawks.

Sharing the stage with the former football star was Tim Brown, director of sports camps for the Columbus-based Fellowship of Christian Athletes and author of a motivational book called “Boys Won’t Be Boys: Empowering Boys to Live Uncommon in a Common World.”

Read more about the event in Sunday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.