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Maurice Clarett was arrested again this week. The former Ohio State Buckeye tailback was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and several traffic violations. More charges could be forthcoming. It should come as a shock to no-one. Police attempted to pull Clarett over after he was observed making an illegal U-turn in his SUV. Clarett led police on a highway chase that ended only after he drove over a spike strip and was forced to pull into a restaurant parking lot. A police helicopter tracked the vehicle during the chase.

Refusing to obey several orders to leave the vehicle, Clarett was removed by police who used mace after a stun gun was ineffective because Clarett was wearing a bullet-proof vest. It took several officers to get him cuffed and he continued to resist arrest, attempting to kick out the doors of the paddy wagon.

Police discovered a loaded AK-47 assault rifle, three loaded handguns and an open bottle of Grey Goose Vodka in the truck.

The 22-year-old Clarett is awaiting trial in a separate incident on charges of aggravated robbery and again carrying a concealed weapon after flashing a handgun in the theft of a cell phone in the early hours of New Year's Day.

How the mighty have fallen.

In 2002 as a true freshman, Clarett rushed for a Buckeye record 1,237 yards and 18 touchdowns. He scored the winning touchdown in OSU's 31-24 double-overtime win over Miami Florida in the Fiesta Bowl securing the Buckeye's first National Championship since 1968.

Clarett was suspended for the athletic and academic year of 2003 after filing a false police report claiming more than $10,000 worth of clothing, electronics and CD's from a vehicle he'd borrowed from a local car dealership.

Clarett challenged the NFL draft rule that one must wait three years after finishing High School to declare. Clarett originally won entry into the draft but that decision was overturned on appeal and the Supreme Court settled the matter denying any further appeal. Clarett was represented in the case by David Kenner, the longtime attorney for infamous hip-hop mogul Marion "Suge" Knight.

Clarett was a third-round draft pick of Denver in 2005. A million dollars in debt from legal fees, Clarett turned down the standard $413,000 signing bonus and signed an incentive-laden contract that would have made him rich had he become a star.

But he arrived in camp at a hefty 247 and ran a disappointing 4.72 40. He subsequently sat out the first two weeks of camp with hamstring tightness before being waived.

Prior to today's arrest, Clarett was said to be interested in joining one of the Ohio Indoor Football League franchises claiming he had something to prove. He was supposed to join the Mahoning Valley Hitmen of Youngstown, who are scheduled to begin play in January.

The story of Maurice Clarett is not uncommon and it's easy to fall into the trap of feeling sympathetic for this tragic waste of talent. Don't feel sorry for Maurice Clarett! He's a dangerous felon that should be taken off the streets.

Sometimes athletes are simply bad guys.

About the Author

Dennis Macklin is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League. Read all of his articles at www.procappers.com/Dennis_Macklin.htm