Maurice Clarett is getting the second chance he came to Omaha to pursue.
The Omaha Nighthawks signed the former Ohio State running back to a one-year contract Monday, the day after he worked out for team personnel. Clarett then joined his new teammates for a Monday night practice at Omaha Bryan, although he spent most of the time watching because he still must learn the offensive system.
Clarett starred for Ohio State as a freshman in 2002 before falling upon hard times that included 3½ years in prison for aggravated robbery and carrying a concealed weapon. Released in the spring, Clarett returned to Ohio State to take classes and prepare for another chance in football.
The Nighthawks will give it to him, and General Manager Rick Mueller said he’s convinced that the 26-year-old Clarett will make the most of it.
“If you really look at where the guy’s at, you realize that he has his head on straight,’’ Mueller said. “I’m 100 percent comfortable that Maurice Clarett is not going to do anything to hurt this football team or this city.’’
Clarett did not talk to reporters after Monday’s practice but is scheduled to speak on Wednesday.
In a statement released by the Nighthawks, Clarett said, “I am humbled by the opportunity the Omaha Nighthawks have given me and will dedicate myself on and off the field to prove that I can be a valuable member of the team and the Omaha community. I am committed to working hard to earn the right for a second chance in football and more importantly life.’’
Clarett participated in all of the running back drills in Monday’s practice and did run a few plays at the start of the workout when the offense was in walk-through mode. He watched most of the second half of practice as the offense worked against the defense.
Still, veteran running back Ahman Green saw enough to be excited about having Clarett on the team.
“I think this shows how serious we are,’’ Green said. “We want to make sure we have the right guys here, guys that want to play and that are hungry to play football. Maurice’s past is the past. We’re looking forward.
“Every guy we have is busting his butt day in and day out on the field. I’m excited about it because it’s great to have one more running back that can outrun people and that will run harder than our opponents. It’s great to have him here.’’
Green has pledged to serve as Clarett’s mentor, although he figures most of that role will involve on-the-field matters.
“I don’t think I’ll have to do much guiding (off the field),’’ Green said. “He’s a grown man. He’s paid his debt to society. Right now, he just wants to play, just like I do and just like every other guy out here.’’
Clarett, who had to receive court permission to leave Ohio for Omaha, was one of four players signed Monday by the Nighthawks. Another was one of Clarett’s former Ohio State teammates, wide receiver Roy Hall.
Asked if it was coincidence that he joined the team on the same day as Clarett, Hall laughed and replied, “Unbelievably coincidental.’’
Hall spent the 2007 and 2008 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and was on the New Orleans Saints’ injured reserve list last season. A free agent, Hall was working out at Ohio State when he bumped into his former teammate in the weight room.
“He’s a good friend of mine, and we came in together in 2002,’’ Hall said. “I watched him blossom into one of the best running backs Ohio State had ever seen as a freshman and then watched him go through some ups and downs.
“I embraced him when he came back, and I’m excited for him. He’s been away for a while, but he’s just itching to get back onto the field.’’
Clarett rushed for 1,237 yards and scored 18 touchdowns as a freshman in 2002 in helping the Buckeyes win the national championship. He didn’t play again for Ohio State, being declared ineligible the next season for accepting extra benefits.
The Denver Broncos drafted him in the third round in 2005 but cut him in training camp. Clarett was convicted of the two crimes in 2006. After his release from prison, Clarett spent the past 4½ months in a community-based lockdown facility.
Clarett came to Omaha on Sunday for a workout and to meet with Mueller, coach Jeff Jagodzinski and other team personnel. Clarett and team officials then met Monday morning with UFL Commissioner Michael Huyghue, who was in Omaha on his official visit to training camp.
Huyghue signed off on Clarett joining the league, and the Nighthawks signed the running back to a one-year contract.
Huyghue “wanted to sit down with Maurice face to face and look him in the eye and see what kind of kid he was dealing with,’’ Mueller said. “I had talked to Maurice on the phone a bunch, but once you sit down and talk with him, you get a real feel for what he’s about.
“At the end of the day, I think that’s what the commissioner wanted to do.’’
Mueller said he also made sure Nighthawk players were on board with adding Clarett.
“This is a pretty close team,” Mueller said, “and we wanted the players to know from the start that we would never do anything or bring anyone in here that we didn’t think would fit in. It’s not worth it. I think we have too good of a group here to do something like that.
“I think that meant a lot to the team, and I think they’ve been really supportive of Maurice. They’re willing to give him the opportunity.’’
Contact the writer:
679-2298, steve.pivovar@owh.com
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