From James Alder,
Your Guide to Football.
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Sep 23 2003

As expected, suspended Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett has filed a lawsuit against the NFL regarding the league's rule against players entering the NFL Draft before they have been out of high school for three years.

The suit asks U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin to throw out the rule and declare Clarett eligible for the 2004 draft, or require the NFL to hold a special supplemental draft sooner. Clarett is also seeking damages for being held out of the 2003 NFL Draft, claiming he would have made millions of dollars in a contract and signing bonus had he been drafted in the first round.

The suit contends that the NFL's rule prohibiting early entry into the draft violates federal antitrust laws and should be removed immediately. It also alleges that the rule unfairly restrains interstate trade and commerce by arbitrarily keeping qualified candidates out of the league.

The suit also maintains that the real purpose of the rule is to create a free farm system, requiring players to spend three seasons playing college football instead of being paid market value.

According to Associated Press reports, when asked if this case would cause a flood of high school athletes trying to make the jump to the NFL, Clarett's attorney Alan C. Milstein said, "This is not going to open the floodgates. You still will have to be of a certain level of ability to consider this. I read where someone said, 'We don't want 13-year-olds in the NFL.' That's ridiculous. You still would have to be drafted, signed and make the team. The scouts of the NFL are as good as scouts in any other professional sport. If they don't think you're ready, they won't draft you."

The case has been filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Clarett, who rushed for 1,237 yards and helped Ohio State to a national championship as a freshman last season, was suspended from the Ohio State football team for after an investigation determined he broke NCAA rules and lied to investigators.

If Clarett wins his case, theoretically he could be in an NFL uniform before the season ends, although that is highly unlikely. He would most likely enter through the 2004 draft or possibly a suplemental draft and be ready for action when the 2004 season begins.

If the NFL's rule is upheld, Clarett's options are limited since he cannot play for Ohio State for at least one year. Other options would include sitting out a season, transfering to another college, or joining another less lucrative league like the Arena Football League or the Canadian Football League.