What is Maurice Clarett's Net Worth?
Maurice Clarett is a former American football player with a net worth of $50,000. He played college football for Ohio State University, leading the Buckeyes to a national championship as a freshman in 2002. Despite overcoming numerous legal troubles, including arrests and imprisonment, Clarett eventually got his life back on track. He played for the UFL's Omaha Nighthawks for a season and is now an advocate for mental health and criminal justice reform.
Early Life and High School
Maurice Clarett was born on October 29, 1983, in Youngstown, Ohio. He began showcasing his football talent at Austintown-Fitch High School as a varsity freshman tailback. Clarett later transferred to Warren G. Harding High School, where he continued to excel in football.
Collegiate Career
Clarett attended Ohio State University, where he had an outstanding freshman season, rushing for 1,237 yards and scoring 18 touchdowns. He helped the Buckeyes achieve a 14-0 record and win the 2002 BCS National Championship. Despite his on-field success, Clarett faced significant challenges. In 2002, he had conflicts with coaching staff and accused OSU officials of not funding his travel for a family funeral. By 2003, he was implicated in an academic scandal receiving undue leniency from professors and was eventually suspended for the season.
NFL
After his dismissal from OSU, Clarett moved to Los Angeles and sued to enter the 2004 NFL Draft, challenging the NFL's eligibility rules. Although initially successful, the decision was reversed, barring him from the draft. He prepared for the 2005 NFL Combine but performed poorly. Despite being chosen by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft, Clarett couldn't make it through training camp and amassed $1 million in legal debts.
Getty Images
Legal Troubles
Clarett’s legal issues began in 2006 when he was involved in an armed robbery outside a Columbus dance club. He turned himself in but was later arrested during a police chase where multiple weapons were found in his vehicle. Clarett eventually pled guilty to multiple charges and was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison, with early release after three-and-a-half years. He was released early in April 2010.
Omaha Nighthawks
Clarett returned to football in 2010, joining the United Football League's Omaha Nighthawks. He rushed for 12 yards in his first game and completed the season with 154 rushing yards, 98 receiving yards on 12 catches, and one touchdown. This marked his only season with the team before the UFL folded in 2012.
Business Career
After his release, Clarett turned his experiences into motivational efforts. He has become a mental health advocate, speaking at prisons and youth camps about his journey and rehabilitation. Clarett also consults collegiate athletic departments on mental health and founded the Red Zone, a behavioral health agency in Youngstown, Ohio, which provides mental health, addiction, and recovery services.
