Judge Refuses NFL appeal; Clarett to enter draft


Posted Feb 11, 2004


The Associated Press is reporting that U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin refused to suspend her ruling that Maurice Clarett is eligible to play in the NFL. His lawyer said the Ohio State running back will enter the draft.

"Maurice Clarett's going to be in the draft," his attorney Alan Milstein announced right after the decision in which Scheindlin ruled the NFL would not suffer irreparable harm if Clarett and other underclassmen are allowed to participate in April's draft.

On Tuesday, the NFL asked the judge for a stay of her decision that the league's rule barring players who haven't been out of high school for three years violates antitrust law. The NFL argued that an onslaught of younger players would harm the league, its athletes and college football.

The NFL sought the stay while it appealed her ruling, saying a higher court might not be able to rule before the draft. The league has already said it would appeal to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The NFL set a March 1 deadline for high school players and college underclassmen to apply for the draft, pending its appeal. Sophomore Larry Fitzgerald of Pittsburgh, has already declared.

Clarett's lawyer claimed earlier yesterday that the former Ohio State running back will be in Indianapolis next week for the NFL's scouting combine.

Note: Starting next Thursday the TFY Draft Preview will be on hand at the RCA Dome for complete coverage of the NFL Combine.


Related Stories
Clarett Meets Media, Keeps His Options Open
 -by BuckeyeSports.com  Feb 5, 2004
Judge Rules in favor of Clarett
 -by ScoutNFLNetwork.com  Feb 5, 2004
Judge Rules In Favor Of Clarett; Geiger Speaks
 -by BuckeyeSports.com  Feb 5, 2004

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TB Maurice Clarett (profile)
FL Larry Fitzgerald (profile)
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