New Nighthawk Clarett eyes future, not rocky past

• Video: Omaha Nighthawk Maurice Clarett




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Maurice Clarett’s focus is on his future, not his past.

In meeting with reporters for the first time since joining the Omaha Nighthawks Monday, the former Ohio State tailback steered clear of discussing his sometimes troubled past, which includes serving 3½ years in an Ohio prison.

“We’re not here to talk about that,” Clarett said. “We’re here to talk about the Nighthawks and the football season. I’m sure we can talk about that at a later date.”

The 26-year-old Clarett did say his experiences since emerging as one of college football’s top running backs in 2002 have taught him a lot.

“More so just be humble about everything and stay positive in character and keep a good attitude about what goes on,” Clarett said.

The Nighthawks, a first-year United Football League team that begins play Sept. 24, signed Clarett after receiving permission from Commissioner Michael Huyghue Monday. Huyghue met with Clarett and team officials while on a visit to Omaha.

Asked what he had to do to convince Huyghue that he was sincere about getting his life and football career back on track, Clarett said, “I’m sure he had his concerns and everything. I told him how I felt, where I was at in my life, how I felt about my family, about having an opportunity to play again and being around here.’’

Clarett hasn’t played since 2002, when he rushed for 1,237 yards and scored 18 touchdowns in helping Ohio State win the national championship. The NCAA declared him ineligible the next season for receiving extra benefits, and he lost a court bid to enter the NFL draft after his freshman year.

The Denver Broncos did select him in the third round of the 2005 draft, but he failed to make the team in training camp. He was convicted in 2006 of aggravated robbery and carrying a concealed weapon, which led to him spending 3½ years in prison and another 4½ months in a community-based detention center.

After being released from prison, he re-enrolled at Ohio State and resumed working out in hopes of returning to football. The Nighthawks are giving him that opportunity.

“It feels real good,’’ said Clarett, when asked how it feels to be back in football pads. “At first, it felt a little foreign to me.’’

Clarett went through his third practice with the Nighthawks on Wednesday morning. He worked with the punt and kickoff return units, and ran a few plays when the team worked on goal-line situations.

He said his biggest challenge right now is learning terminology and remembering plays.

“My confidence level is good,’’ he said. “Get in the weight room, get inside the playbook. I’ve got a good relationship with my teammates.’’

the Nighthawks had to convince Huyghue that the team would have a support system for Clarett. It starts with Ahman Green, who has welcomed the opportunity to serve as Clarett’s mentor.

Green, the former Nebraska star who went on to become the Green Bay Packers’ all-time leading rusher, sits next to Clarett in team meetings. The two have talked often on the field during practice.

“Ahman is a real positive dude,’’ Clarett said. “I talked to him on the phone before I came here, and he said he would be a resource to me. Every question I’ve asked him up to this point, he’s been real helpful.

“He’s had a lot of success in the NFL. He’s someone on and off the field that I can learn from.’’

Throughout the off-the-field turmoil, Clarett said, he remained hopeful that football would be in his future.

“I’ve always prepared for it, but I never knew if there would be an opportunity for me,’’ he said. “I kept in good shape, I kept my spirits high and my hopes positive.’’

That positive attitude emerged during the 11 questions that Clarett answered before being ushered away by the Nighthawks’ public relations director.

“I’m taking things day by day and trying to contribute any way that I can,’’ he said. “You have to take the basics and respect the game and learn everything over.

“It would be getting ahead of myself to talk about playing time right now. I feel very fresh and good about what I’m doing. And I’m looking forward to getting started on September 24th.’’

• NOTES: The team practiced Wednesday night at Omaha Bryan. The Nighthawks will go through single workouts Thursday and Friday before possibly doing some situational scrimmaging on Saturday. … The Nighthawks added fullback Ryan Powdrell of Southern California to the roster and waived four players — kicker Obie Egekeze, cornerback Anthony Dorsett, running back D.D. Terry and linebacker Angelo Crowell.

Contact the writer:

679-2298, steve.pivovar@owh.com

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