Alan’s TTIM Stories #35

Stepping out on the field at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium on an October evening in 2010, a 26-year-old rookie running back felt exhilaration from cheers of a sold-out crowd.  Downtown Omaha was miles and years away from previous football glory at Ohio State. What was going through the mind of Maurice Clarett? Was it the playbook for a new team or remembering the high and low points of the past? The game that night involved the Omaha Nighthawks and Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. On the line was redemption through the love of the game.

As cleats touched the sod, there were memories of a different game long ago at Sun Devil Stadium in Arizona. The BSP Championship Game at the 2003 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl pitted the overwhelming favorite, #1 Miami Hurricanes, attempting a second consecutive championship, facing the upstart #2 Ohio State Buckeyes.

During the 2002 season, Maurice ran for 1,237 yards including an impressive 230 yards against Washington State. Not since 2-time Heisman Trophy winner, Archie Griffin, had a freshman running back excited the Buckeye faithful. Injuries slowed a stellar season. He recovered in time to help defeat that dreaded team from up north and be in the lineup for the championship game.

On to a trip to the desert to the pinnacle of college football. Though the 47 rushing yards were less than impressive, one play will be included in the highlights of all championship games. After Miami’s Sean Taylor intercepted a Craig Krenzel pass in the end zone, that situation would not stand for the young Buckeye in the vicinity. Maurice stole the ball back to help set up an essential field goal.  

The battling Buckeyes pummeled the speedy Hurricanes to a tie at the end of regulation. In the second overtime, Maurice plunged over the goal time for the winning score, securing Ohio State’s first championship since 1968. Life held great promise as the light sparkled through the cut-glass crystal ball trophy.

Then all turned dark – suspension from the team, depression, alcoholism, trouble with the law, and three years in prison.

An inner spark remained in the darkness to light a path to  redemption. The spark had enough light to help Maurice visualize something beyond the current situation and past missteps. He  was determined to make a turnaround, building mind and body, he studied business and psychology.

He had a story to tell youth. Not abandoning the football past, Maurice  used it as inspiration to start a nonprofit organization, The Red Zone, “dedicated to helping adults and adolescents discover their strengths and abilities to assist them in reaching their full potential” with mental health counseling, case management, substance abuse services, along with engagements as a motivational speaker.   

Thank you, Maurice, for your contribution to Ohio State’s glory from a Buckeye fan, Ohio State graduate, and classmate of Archie Griffin. Thank you for your example of redemption and second chances. Thank you for using your life story to help youth. And – thank you taking the field in Omaha on that autumn evening.

Sources:
American Football Database – Fandom
Wikipedia
Wikimedia Commons
247 Sports
Eleven Warriors.com
Maurice Clarett.com
Buckeyes Rosters.com

“It all begins with you. Believe in your ability to evolve into more.”
Maurice Clarett

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Follow announcements of Alan’s TTIM Stories at Facebook.com/alan.vandervoort or Instagram & Treads vandervoort_author, with all available posts at www.alanvandervoort.com. Novels by the author include: Sandhills – A Novel and Key Largo Summer, found at Booklocker.com and other online booksellers.