Maurice Clarett in the news again - Says Ohio State gave him cash, cars

[Champ]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Former Ohio State star Maurice Clarett accused coach Jim Tressel, his staff and school boosters of arranging for him to get passing grades, cars, and thousands of dollars, including for bogus summer jobs. The school immediately denied the claims Tuesday.

Most of Clarett's charges, made in an interview with ESPN The Magazine, were addressed as part of an NCAA probe that found the running back lied to investigators, leading to his suspension from the team he helped win the 2002 national title.

Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger was not surprised by the accusations, saying Clarett had vowed to try to hurt the program.

"In moments of frustration during the investigation, (Maurice) might say something like, 'I can blow this whole program up,' or something like that, and so we would then say, 'OK, blow it up. Tell us what you know,"' Geiger said.

After being suspended by Ohio State and the NCAA for the 2003 season, Clarett went to court to challenge the NFL's rule preventing players from entering the draft less than three years after graduating high school. He won initial federal court ruling but lost several appeals and was kept out of the draft.

http://msn.foxsports.com/story/3149688

[ramapo]

1. Sounds like SOP for college sports

Like what he says hasn't been going on forever?

All the crap about academics being honored is just that. Money is thrown at talented athletes. Few schools throw money at exceptional students.