Be the Symbol of Hope
I had a chance to sit down and speak to a young man who is 18 with a 13 year sentence. He has been in the same cell block as me for a few months and I’ve been observing how he has been coping with his sentence. It has been on my mind to sit with him and offer some suggestions on how he could reverse the order and start taking advantage of this solitude but I always came up with the excuse that I didn’t have the time. The truth was I didn’t want to make the time. I then thought, “What if all the people supporting me made the excuse, they didn’t have time?” I probably wouldn’t be where I am at mentally today. That thought alone brought perspective to the situation and let me know I was being selfish with my blessings. At that exact moment, I made it a mission of mine to set time aside for him. When I spoke a few sentences to him, you could see his eyes light up. It’s as if his spirit was awakened just from me showing some type of concern about his personal issues. He spilled out all of his life experiences to me. The essence of all of his tales was that he didn’t know how to logically manage his life. His emotions dominated his decision making and he was in need of a little assistance when it comes to managing his life. I offered up a few words and suggested some books to read. He agreed to read them for the sake of us building a bond. I am interested in seeing how he comprehends certain information. From my personal assessment, I’ll then be able to see at what pace I can bring him along. I want to help him raise his level of consciousness for the sake of him giving life some type of value. Hopelessness leads to anger and anger leads to danger. I’ve been there before so it is a must that I give back and lead how I am supposed to lead. I know and understand the feeling. I want to be his symbol of hope.
February 27, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Wow I just came across this recently and it seems you have really matured. I hope it all works out for you in the end.
February 27, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Maurice, you’re a good man and just reading your blog entries today have really brought me hope and put a new mind state into my head, I’m in a tough situation right now, and your words really helped. Thanks, good luck to everything in the future, I know you will succeed and reach all of your goals and dreams. I have no doubt at all.
February 27, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Maurice, I have just found this site. I used to do security at wgh. It is my hope that we can renew our friendship. Its been a few years since we last spoke to one another. If you think back you will remember me at games and practice. I cant tell you how happy I am to find you in the place where you are in your life right now. I wish only to continue to support you
in any way that I can. And in the future tell you how YOU and your teamates helped me through a difficult time in my life.
John/Security
PS keep up the great work with this young man, He needs you right now.
February 27, 2009 at 6:01 pm
I hope everything goes well for you Mo. Stay strong
February 27, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Hey Maurice,
I was a football fan of yours. I read an article today about you and it mentioned this blog. I just wanted to say that I did not know what to expect when I came on here. I was surprised to see that you are an articulate man and that somehow I felt what you were saying. I am a 39 yr old man who is married to the most wonderful and beautiful woman in the world. We have a 13 yr old son who is considered to be one of the best skateboarders in the nation for his age. He has been struggling with his decisions in life lately and I made him read your words. I think he felt you the way that I did. I told him who you were and what had happened to you and he said he felt bad about you not making a name for yourself in the NFL. I then told him that he could lose the rare oppurtunities that he has in life by not making the right choices. I am not putting you down but I am glad he read what you felt like living where you are. I think you could have that effect on a lot of people Maurice. We all make bad choices and it is up to us to make them right again. I wish you luck.
February 27, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Maurice – I am so happy to see you getting yourself back together. I was a big fan of you at OSU. I’m glad that you are enjoying the basics in life, that is what is most important. We all get so wrapped up in the material world sometimes…and it’s the simple things that we enjoy the most. Keep your head up high, and keep taking classes…your improvements in education are evident in your writings, and that is so encouraging to see you take advantage of that time. Take care
February 27, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Dear Mr. Clarett;
I am a graduate of Ohio State from 1992. I watched as you helped the Buckeyes win the National Championship. While you may have fallen on hard times, I am happy to read that you are helping others. I wish you nothing but the best when you are released.
God Bless.
Steve
February 27, 2009 at 8:10 pm
That’s an admirable thing to do. I hope he grows from his experiences with you.
February 27, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Maurice,
It appears that the world will soon discover a Maurice Clarett that was hidden from it before. The depth of your self examination is rare. Your skill with words and thoughts is powerful. You have a rewarding future ahead of you, it seems to me.
As a life long Buckeye fan, I hope that those old wounds between you and Buckeye Nation can be healed some day, if that is your desire, of course. As you wrote previously, your contribution to Ohio State football is undeniable. It is ironic to me, however, that while you lead Ohio State back to greatness, you were also a central figure in the anti-Ohio State media frenzy that goes on yet today. You are both an heroic and tragic figure in the history of Ohio State football and college football as a whole. What a great day it would be for you to be welcomed back and given your rightful place as a Buckeye hero. Reading your blog, I am convinced that you are on the right track.
February 27, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Maurice, your maturity is inspiring. Through football you brought me profound happiness by justifying my belief in a destiny. Through your selfishness, you brought me profound sadness by showing me that great blessings can be abused to the point of destruction. But through your rehabilitation, you have brough me profound hope. The kind of hope that only is derived from the resurrection of a man from the ashes. You are a true Phoenix. Life is not done with you. May you always remind us that we are life’s servants, and not the other way around.
February 27, 2009 at 9:22 pm
God put us on earth to “serve”. Keep impacting that young man’s life as well as everyone else you come in contact with.
February 27, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Maurice,
Congrats on getting back in school. It sounds as if you are making the most of your situation. That is good to hear.
I have a question for you. There is a rumor that you wanted to go to Notre Dame after your junior year of high school. I was wondering if that rumor was true, or simply a rumor. With kids leaving high school in December of their senior year now a days, it made me think of that rumor.
God Bless and Good Luck
February 27, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Hey bro, I dont know you personally but we do share a mutual friend. When I heard you had a blog, I was skeptical. After reading some of your entries, I am glad you have decided to do something with yourself. I am glad you have decided to not let your mistakes define you. You are doing the right thing by trying to reach out to that young man. It can be very difficult at times, just remember when some people tried to help you, you knew more than them. Keep ya Head Up brother.`
February 28, 2009 at 7:43 am
It brought joy to my day here in Columbus to see this blog. Good luck with your continued education and in helping others deal with their personal struggles while serving time. I have no doubt that with your personal strength and spirit that you will succeed in what you choose to do.
February 28, 2009 at 9:41 am
Maurice, great thoughts and post. It’s amazing how when we bless others we can’t help but be blessed ourselves. Keep up the great work. Look forward to hearing about you graduating down the road and having a great career.
February 28, 2009 at 10:19 am
Hey Maurice,
I just found about your blog today,i am a big fan from Brasil and wish you the best…i still have the Sports Ilustrated with you on the cover…
GOD BLESS YOU…peace
sorry about my english
February 28, 2009 at 11:37 am
Mo,
I am so happy to see you turning things around. I have always been a supporter even through the rough times. I didn’t come from the environment you did but have had friends who have had to overcome the obstacles you faced. Some did it with ease and some struggled. The struggles you have faced will only make you a stronger and a better person as long as you are true to it and it seems that realization is upon you. Keep staying positive and pay no attention to those who will continue to try to put you down. You will never be as proud as the day you hang that OU diploma on your wall!! keep it up brother!
February 28, 2009 at 1:50 pm
I love it!
February 28, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Mr. Clarett-
Please know that many of the same fans who cheered you on when you were wearing scarlet and gray are wishing you the best in your future…with or w/o football.
Be strong, and accomplish all that you were meant to.
God bless,
MR
February 28, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Hang in there man. As an Ohio State graduate I thank you for all you did to bring us a national title and more importantly, I am still rooting for you. If you have the ability to perform the way you did on the gridiron in 2002, you can certainly carry that over off the field.
John
February 28, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Sounds like you could do some great work in prisons after you’ve finished your time. Glad to hear you decided to be proactive with the young guy.
February 28, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Maurice-
Your positive outlook is amazing. Not many people can be as mentally tough as you. Keep up the great progress! I will following along with your blog for motivation in my life.
March 1, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Maurice Clarett? The old buckeye? Wow, I have to say I just stumbled upon this and I’m very impressed with your clarity of thought, sincere writing style, and frankly, the fact you can even write. Based on all the exploits you read about in the papers, it seems like you really turned your life around and have much more to offer the world than football (the world needs people to inspire and help young people more than another wealthy NFL’er, believe me.)
Congrats for what seems like a life getting ready to be turned around. Hopefully you can stay true to this newfound wisdom and not revert to the lure of bad choices.
March 1, 2009 at 7:27 pm
I got into some trouble when I was 19 and had to do some time. The whole experience changed my life. I went on to get a four year degree. A masters degree. I am now married with three kids, and have a very good job at a fortune 500 company. All is well. But reading your blog does remind me of one thing….When your doing time, you have all the time in the world to think about life. To think about freedom. To think about what’s right and wrong. To think about god. I hope you use the time to think about all these things. And I hope your life is chnaged forever because of what happened. I love college football. You were great. But its time to move on now. Keep helping others. It will all work out in the end….
March 3, 2009 at 10:33 am
Good luck Maurice–you are young and have your whole life ahead of you. You can do it and you are already showing you can. Keep up the good work. I was just thinking of Marcus Dupree who was out of football for 6-7 years and actually came back and had some success in the NFL. If you want to play again–give it a shot, but I also see you as a coach, community leader, business man–whatever–Go for it and good luck!!!
March 3, 2009 at 10:53 am
Mo,
I was very impressed reading through your commentary. As a lifelong fan and Alum, I was very saddened to see such a talent like yourself with such promise throw it all away for the almighty dollar. It really is a life lesson for alot of young people. I am very glad to see you becoming productive with your life, that is also a life lesson for ALL. Keep the faith, this OSU alum will never forget the intensity and capabilities you showed on the field. Keep inspiring others, God has touched you with leadership qualities, continue to lead as you are. Best of Luck to you!
March 3, 2009 at 10:54 am
This is good stuff that you are writing and doing Maurice. Wow. Keep moving forward, and thanks for sharing.
March 3, 2009 at 11:12 am
Way to become a Mentor Maurice!! Don’t give up on that kid (even if he does something that ticks you off a little) because now that you’ve assumed the role…it would be CRUSHING for him if you were to abandon or blow him off once you’ve extended your hand.
March 3, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Maurice: You sound very aware that your past has been stained with the artistry of a con man, and that your native intelligence and charm have not been your friend as they enabled you to take the easy way out and blame others for your faults. I pray that this self-awareness truly has been born within you. I take you at your word that you are working on improving yourself, and that you are serious about helping someone else in need. In that light, I would encourage you to read about – and to refer to your friend – the work of Charles Colson and his prison ministry. God’s richest blessings to you. Michael S.
March 3, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Mo,
I have to admit I was one of the Buckeye fans who had a “don’t let the door hit you in the ……” attitude. I was very angry at both you and ESPN. I had a change of heart after reading Jim Tressel’s book “The Winners Manual” The section he wrote about you helped me understand what had happened and how hard you were working to make this time productive. If you are forgiven by the man that I consider to be one of the finest men around, I will too.
Good luck to you
March 3, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Maurice, you are very articulate and demonstrate wisdom in your writing. You should write a book, or teach, so much potential for your current and future life. I wonder what your source of inspiration is… where are you getting the insight from? I’m glad to see you are sharing yourself and knowledge with others and most of all having compassion for others; my hope is listed reading your thoughts.
March 4, 2009 at 12:35 am
Thank you.
I coach young men and will use your site to help them learn, these posts go far beyond sports and should be viewed by anyone needing hope, facing tough times or dealing with bad choices or circumstances.
I try to live my life by this credo;
Learn. Apply. Repeat.
This blog seems to me you are focused in a similar fashion, keep going! Cheering for your success in life is far better than any football game…
…although I was in the stands for the National Championship, thank you for that as well.
BTW, your best play ever in my opinion?
Chasing the Miami DB down after the interception and causing the fumble that got us points. Hustle, Determination, Team Player.
March 4, 2009 at 1:39 am
Hey Maurice,
You should write about the books that had the most impact on you and why they were important to you. Recommend books that helped you so that they may help others in the same way.
March 5, 2009 at 1:53 am
Maurice,
God has a plan for you!!! In Proverbs 19 the Bible talks about how men have plans for their life but, it is Gods purpose that prevails. I believe God gave you the tallent to play Football and I believe if you put all you trust in him, you will be playing again.
God Bless!!!
March 7, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I saw an article about your site in the columbus dispatch. I was truly moved by your intensity and eloquence. I was sad that some of the comments were related to your former actions, but the point there is that you are paying for them, and most likely, will pay for them for a long time. Please believe you are more than that, you are indeed proving that. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is not promised, but today, maurice, today, is what matters…take that time to mentor, to give an honest word, a smile, or a pat on the back, as there may not be another. The true test of any man I believe is to lie upon your bed at night, and not regret what you did today. If you do, repent and plan again…TODAY is the day of salvation..have you been saved?? I ask because you can plan, and be a reader of many positive books, but without a relationship with Jesus Christ, nothing will really last. God Bless you…keep your head up!
March 8, 2009 at 11:03 pm
Mr. Clarett, this is like the play in the NC game, where you hustled down field to take back the intercepted ball. You are again working hard to take back your life and turn it around. I believe if you use the same determination and hard work now, as you did then, you will be successful and take back your life and be successful. Best wishes with your goals.
My son who wasa great fan of yours, was recently incarcerated. After reading your blogs, I believe you can be an inspiration to him again and have some influence on him. I will be printing and mailing your blogs to him so he may benefit from your perspective and insite. He admired you then and there is much for him to admire you for now. Best wishes to you and with your efforts in the future.
P.S. What were the books you recommended to the other young man?