Sports: HSers May Be Able to Enter NFL Draft

[AKA2D '91]

Judge: Clarett Is Eligible for NFL Draft
2 hours, 7 minutes ago

By CHAKA FERGUSON, Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK - Ohio State star Maurice Clarett was given an opening to run through — all the way to the NFL.



A federal judge gave the running back and other teenage football players the opportunity to turn pro by declaring Thursday that an NFL rule barring their eligibility violates antitrust law and "must be sacked."


"I was pleased that the rule was brought down," Clarett said at a news conference. "It gives kids an opportunity to choose."


U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin said legal issues are so clearly in Clarett's favor a trial is unnecessary. The NFL said it will appeal, and it will probably try to block the ruling before the April draft.


Clarett's lawyer, Alan Milstein, called it a "total victory."


Clarett declined to say whether he'll enter the April draft after his lawyers advised him that Ohio State has warned even a declaration to join the NFL would rule out any chance of returning to college ball.


Not being able to play football the past year has been hard, Clarett said, but added that the time off allowed his body to rest.


"I've been playing football since I was 5," he said. "It's been stressful."


Jeff Pash, the executive vice president of the NFL, said the ruling left him "really surprised" but confident on appeal because its findings contradicted those of past court rulings.


Clarett sued the league last year to challenge its 1990 rule that a player must be out of high school three years to enter the draft.


The ruling, if it holds up on appeal, means that high school football players and college underclassmen will be able to make the jump to the pros just like their counterparts in the NBA.


Dozens of basketball players, including Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, have gone to the NBA straight after high school in recent years, becoming instant celebrities and signing shoe endorsement deals that make them millionaires before the ink is dry on their high school diplomas.


"Somebody broke the rule for LeBron a long time ago. It's just another option," Clarett said.


Scheindlin wrote that the NFL rule "is precisely the sort of conduct that the antitrust laws were designed to prevent."


"One can scarcely think of a more blatantly anticompetitive policy than one that excludes certain competitors from the market altogether," she wrote.


Clarett, a 20-year-old sophomore, played just one season at Ohio State, leading the Buckeyes to the 2002 national championship. He was barred from playing in the 2003 season for accepting improper benefits from a family friend and then lying to investigators about it.


Ohio State would have to petition the NCAA to allow Clarett to return for the 2004 season, and it is unclear whether the school would succeed. The court ruling came a day after Ohio State said it was investigating an ESPN.com report that the family friend was gambling while in daily contact with Clarett during the 2002 season.

At the news conference, Clarett declined to comment on those charges. So, why go through all of this if you are NOT going to enter the NFL draft?

Clarett would be prevented from entering the NFL draft until 2005 under current rules.

His lawyers had called the rule arbitrary and anticompetitive, arguing it robbed players like Clarett of an opportunity to enter the multimillion-dollar marketplace.

Scheindlin noted courts had already eliminated similar age-based rules violating antitrust laws in professional basketball and hockey. She said the NFL had kept one in effect since Illinois' star running back, Harold "Red" Grange, left school in 1925 to join the Chicago Bears (news) for $50,000.

The league argued that Clarett should not be eligible for the draft because its rule resulted from a collective bargaining agreement with the players and is immune from antitrust scrutiny.

"We believe today's ruling is inconsistent in numerous respects with well-established labor and antitrust law," the league said.

No other player has challenged the eligibility rule, which was supported by some of the league's coaches and executives. They say younger players aren't physically ready for the NFL, although the 6-foot, 230-pound Clarett could be an exception.

"I don't know that the floodgates are opening," Pash said. "While the ruling is broad in its language, I think we have to wait and see what the effect is."

[TonyB06]

Clarett may or may not be ready. While talented, he's proven to be fairly fragile as a collegiate player. So if he's going to get banged up, he might as well earn $1.2 mill a year for the privilege.

As for a fear that this will invite teenagers to skip college for the NFL, it's much ado about nothing, IMO. Teenagers participating in grueling two-a-days with grown a$$ men will learn real quickly that they are not ready.

[ladygreek]

I assume this will mean that Larry Fitzgerald Jr. will be able to enter the draft, too.

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by TonyB06
Clarett may or may not be ready. While talented, he's proven to be fairly fragile as a collegiate player. So if he's going to get banged up, he might as well earn $1.2 mill a year for the privilege.

As for a fear that this will invite teenagers to skip college for the NFL, it's much ado about nothing, IMO. Teenagers participating in grueling two-a-days with grown a$$ men will learn real quickly that they are not ready.

Thank you. The NFL is hella more physical than the NBA, except, when people such as Eddy Curry have to bang against Sugar Shaquille Diesel Daddy.

[TonyB06]

Originally posted by Steeltrap
Thank you. The NFL is hella more physical than the NBA, except, when people such as Eddy Curry have to bang against Sugar Shaquille Diesel Daddy.

**hijack**
Steeltrap,
I know you're an ace business reporter, but they could use your "takes" on the SportsReporters, BestDa*mSports Show, or, dare I say it.....Monday Night Football?!?

...props.
**end hijack**

Ladygreek,
I think Larry Fitzgerald could come out anyway because he's more than 3 years removed from high school (which is I think how the present rule reads.) Fitzgerald should have won the Heisman, so I think he's ready to ball on Sunday afternoons. shhh, I may even try to snag him for my fantasy football team..

[Sistermadly]

I don't know if this is a credible thought, or if I'm just feeling exceptionally paranoid today....

... but did anyone else think "oh great, yet ANOTHER tactic to keep young African American men from completing a University education" when they heard this news?

I was watching Paula Zahn Now a few minutes ago and they had two people debating this issue. The con-opinion (I don't remember his name) said that that this move will make the rates of college completion among NFL athletes drop even lower. Right now, the New England Patriots have the highest number of university graduates on their roster (54%), but now people -- our people -- are being lured even more toward the immediate gratification cycle, cause it's all about "getting that money."

[TonyB06]

Originally posted by Sistermadly
I was watching Paula Zahn Now a few minutes ago and they had two people debating this issue. The con-opinion (I don't remember his name) said that that this move will make the rates of college completion among NFL athletes drop even lower. Right now, the New England Patriots have the highest number of university graduates on their roster (54%), but now people -- our people -- are being lured even more toward the immediate gratification cycle, cause it's all about "getting that money."

The NFL player graduation rates might go down, but I'd think the graduation rates of collegiate players would go up. (Given that most college players never play pro, this is a good end result.) Wanna be ballers could go early, (foolishly, IMO) and try, leaving those in college who want to play college ball and be collegiate students---->I'd think that would increase graduation rates.

As to the "getting that money," you can't do it if you can't make the team. I doubt in any given year that anybody less than physically/mentally mature is going to make an NFL roster, based on the brutality of the sport, never mind the mental aspect. "LeBrons" play hoop, not football.

[CrimsonTide4]

Saturday, March 06, 2004

Six high school players apply for April's NFL Draft

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Six high school players and one from a junior college were on a list the NFL released Friday, showing the underclassmen who have applied for the 2004 NFL Draft in April.

The NFL released the list of nine players who requested eligibility following a court ruling in the Maurice Clarett case that paved the way for underclassmen to enter the draft.

The list of players included running back Joe Banks from New Directions Academy in Baltimore Maryland; defensive tackle Earl Fields from Appling County High School in Baxley, Georgia; quarterback John Belisle from Capac Community High School in Capac, Michigan; running back Ethan Mitchell from Flowers High School in Springdale, Maryland; wide receiver Joe Lee from Gates High School in Tacoma, Washington; offensive tackle Ken Petitt from Redford High School in Detroit, Michigan; and defensive back Ronnie McCrae from Pasadena City College.

Clarett and Southern California wide receiver Mike Williams were the two Division I underclassmen on the list.

The deadline for applying was March 1.

[TonyB06]

These six will be "unfortunate pioneers." If they ever make the practice field, which I doubt, they'll soon learn the painful lesson that boys have no business on the field with grown-azz men.

The message will get back to the h.s. ranks soon enough.

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by TonyB06
These six will be "unfortunate pioneers." If they ever make the practice field, which I doubt, they'll soon learn the painful lesson that boys have no business on the field with grown-azz men.

The message will get back to the h.s. ranks soon enough.

I agree. Football is the most IMO physically demanding sport. There is a certain maturation that needs to occur before you step in to the big leagues of pro ball. Just because you are TOP DOG on the high school field and are physically impressive does not constitute readiness for the pros. College is the necessary next step after high school. Jumping from high school to NFL does not make any sense. In college you work out in that gym every day, EVERY FRICKING DAY!!! ONe time my brother skipped out on me because he had to go lift weights and he played the sideline of D3 BALL!!

[CrimsonTide4]

Supreme Court Denies Stay in Clarett Case
8 minutes ago

By GINA HOLLAND, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Maurice Clarett's bid to enter the NFL draft this weekend was turned down by the Supreme Court on Thursday, delaying for now his attempt to bypass the league's eligibility rule.


Clarett immediately filed a new emergency appeal with another justice.


Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (news - web sites) said she saw no reason to overturn a lower court's stay preventing the former Ohio State running back from being taken in the draft.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp..._clarett_draft

[SKEEphistAKAte]

My husband and I have discussed this. If I had a son, I'm not sure if I'd discourage him from entering the draft early. College isn't going anywhere, you can always go back to college. A physical peak is just that, a peak- you will only be at your best at one time in your life, so why not go for it. If you get hurt and your sports career ends early, then go to college. Hopefully, you will have a made a couple of million, and can go through college comfortably, instead of starving and broke like most people do.
What do you all think?

*edited to add* I'm applying to law school now and am required to submit a personal statement. In that statement they look for people who have had unique experiences. Wouldn't an essay on your experience as a professional athlete be unique?

[LB1914]

Originally posted by SKEEphistAKAte
My husband and I have discussed this. If I had a son, I'm not sure if I'd discourage him from entering the draft early. College isn't going anywhere, you can always go back to college. A physical peak is just that, a peak- you will only be at your best at one time in your life, so why not go for it. If you get hurt and your sports career ends early, then go to college. Hopefully, you will have a made a couple of million, and can go through college comfortably, instead of starving and broke like most people do.
What do you all think?

*edited to add* I'm applying to law school now and am required to submit a personal statement. In that statement they look for people who have had unique experiences. Wouldn't an essay on your experience as a professional athlete be unique?

People tend to forget that many contracts in the NFL are not guaranteed, especially not for benchwarmers or those on the practice squad. If Lebron James tears his ACL tomorrow he will still get paid. However, many NFL players do not have that luxury.

You also have to remember that many NFLers try to keep up with a certain lifestyle. There are more broke or average former NFL players out there than people realize. A person can make $300,000 one year and get cut from the team the next. Meanwhile, that person probably bought cars, clothes, houses, and other stuff while they were making that $300,000. A lot of people that only played a year or two in the pros just end up getting regular jobs, so although they may have a "unique" experience in many cases they are not going to end up set for life. Every now and then you may get those that invested their money wisely, but if all of your teammates are wearing new suits every day, switching up cars, taking trips, and stuff like that you are more likely to fall into that trap. Pro athletes have bills too, they are just much higher than most of ours. Hell, a couple of NBA players were talking about being broke back when they had the strike going and we know most of them making substantial amounts of money each year.

I am not just talking out of my rear end here. My mother has a friend that played for the Chiefs. He is not broke, but he just has a regular job in a warehouse and doesn't live the "fabulous" lifestyle that some may assume a former pro football player would have. The tragedy comes when you have those that leave school early, don't pan out in the pros, and then end up thrown to the wolves with no degree and presumably no real work experience. Putting "professional football player" on your resume may get you some looks, but it means nothing if you weren't a star and also do not have the skills for that position.

If a player is truly talented enough to leave school early to go pro, then I am all for it. However, there are more players that don't make it than that do. There were some players from my alma mater that got drafted and ended up right back home in a year or two, so it is not always a guarantee for success or financial stability. If anything, that pro athlete should be trying to complete their degree in the off-season or even online if they have left school early. Nothing in life is guaranteed regardless of your skill level.

[SKEEphistAKAte]

LB1914: I know many athletes who are in the same situation that you described. My ex played in the NFL and he only made like $80k per year. That is not alot of money, especially when you are trying to keep up with your teammates who are making millions of dollars per year. My point is, even he skips college, goes pro and comes out with $0, he can still go back to college- torn ACL and all. He will be a little older than the traditional freshman, but so what? He will have that NFL experience and still have the opportunity to get the degree.
Somebody said that they thought this may be a plot to prevent young black men from going to college. I just don't see it like that. No one is preventing anyone from doing anything. You can always go back to college.

[LB1914]

Originally posted by SKEEphistAKAte
LB1914: I know many athletes who are in the same situation that you described. My ex played in the NFL and he only made like $80k per year. That is not alot of money, especially when you are trying to keep up with your teammates who are making millions of dollars per year. My point is, even he skips college, goes pro and comes out with $0, he can still go back to college- torn ACL and all. He will be a little older than the traditional freshman, but so what? He will have that NFL experience and still have the opportunity to get the degree.
Somebody said that they thought this may be a plot to prevent young black men from going to college. I just don't see it like that. No one is preventing anyone from doing anything. You can always go back to college.

I am not one of the ones that has feels that this is some sort of conspiracy to keep Black men out of college, so I can agree with you on some issues. I also never mentioned anything about them being older because a person is never really too "old" to go back to college. I just feel that we need to plan ahead whether we are athletes, bookworms, ditch diggers, or whatever. That is the one thing that I don't see or hear about concerning this issue. Everyone talks about the money, but no one talks about what happens when it is not there anymore.