# Thank you Maurice Clarette **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 12, 2004, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-maurice-clarette/228787 "2004-02-12T03:57:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![King\_Friday](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/43a26b/32.png) [@King\_Friday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/King_Friday)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2004, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-maurice-clarette/228787/1 "2004-02-12T03:57:33Z")
Thank you for ruining the only professional sport that doesn’t (or should I say _didn’t_) employ teenagers. Now teams will have to fill roster spots with 18 year olds with potential over veterans that can actually contribute to the team. The NFL will never be the same. ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2004, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-maurice-clarette/228787/2 "2004-02-12T04:03:27Z")
> [@King Friday](#): > > Thank you for ruining the only professional sport that doesn’t (or should I say _didn’t_) employ teenagers. Now teams will have to fill roster spots with 18 year olds with potential over veterans that can actually contribute to the team. > > The NFL will never be the same. They’re not going to **have** to; the NFL, more than any other pro sport, requires seasoning from its players and a **high** percentage of these 18 year olds are going to flame out badly or not get drafted. As well, the NFL has no compunction about cutting players who aren’t contributing, because there’s no guaranteed money. The CFL is going to benefit though. ---
**Author:** ![King\_Friday](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/43a26b/32.png) [@King\_Friday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/King_Friday)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2004, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-maurice-clarette/228787/3 "2004-02-12T04:08:32Z")
Ok, I hear you. But do you think someone like Eli manning would go undrafted knowing damn well that he will be good in a few years? I’m sure people were tinking 25 years ago “no NBA team will ever draft a high schooler”. I remember hearing for years what a big deal is was when Moses Malone came straight out of high school. Now it seems to be more common that drafting a college senior. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2004, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-maurice-clarette/228787/4 "2004-02-12T14:49:56Z")
I’m worried too, but I think that there’s a good chance that underclassmen in the draft won’t have a debilitating effect on the NFL (like it’s had on the NBA). In the first place, it’s not as if there are hordes of college juniors entering the draft as it is. If memory serves, the number of juniors in this year’s draft pool is about 43. If only a relative handful of juniors think that they’re ready to start their NFL career as it is, then it stands to reason that there won’t be too many underclassmen who decide to enter the draft. What the NFL claims is at least partially true: because it is more violent, football is fundamentally different from other major sports. As I understand it, the main problem with ditching the League’s age requirement is that it can lead to the breakdown of the player-development system, and thus dilute the talent pool. However, even if there were a flood of teenagers entering the draft, and even if NFL teams did start to draft completely on spec, the NFL already has a substitute player-development apparatus in place: NFL Europe. If the League is smart, they’ll devise a system whereby a draftee’s rookie contract doesn’t kick in until he is three years out of high school (the current age-limit), or until his team deems him ready to be part of its 53-man roster – whichever comes first. Until then, he stays on the practice squad or in NFL Europe, and earns whatever is standard pay for those positions. In other words, NFL teams should be able to red-shirt their under-aged players. This seems like a fairly obvious solution (for the NFL, anyway – it doesn’t help the NCAA at all). Since I haven’t seen anyone else propose it, though, it might not be feasible for one reason or another (if so, I’d like to know why). Still, I’m pretty sure the NFL has options, and that the Clarett decision won’t be as bad for the League as some people think. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2004, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-maurice-clarette/228787/5 "2004-02-12T14:52:41Z")
That said, however, I do hope that Maurice Clarette gets his legs ripped off in his first preseason game. That oughtta be a deterrent. . . ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2004, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-maurice-clarette/228787/6 "2004-02-12T20:58:23Z")
I found this interesting, from an article about the original [ruling](http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/0204a/05ruling.html) > [@](#): > > He is not permitted to be drafted allegedly because the NFL and the union agreed to exclude players in his class. But Clarett’s eligibility is not the union’s to trade away. Indeed, the Rule does not deal with the rights of any NFL players or draftees Now, most unions have rules about who may and may not take a particular job, do they not? Can’t the NFL union state that only persons with 3 years of post-high school football experience are allowed to take the field? Let’s see some manufacturing plant put someone fresh out of high school in a senior position without the union going ape-shit, regardless of how ‘talented’ he is. ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2004, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-maurice-clarette/228787/7 "2004-02-12T23:10:39Z")
> [@VarlosZ](#): > > If the League is smart, they’ll devise a system whereby a draftee’s rookie contract doesn’t kick in until he is three years out of high school (the current age-limit), or until his team deems him ready to be part of its 53-man roster – whichever comes first. Unless the team or league guarantees the contract (unlikely), this will be challenged in court, probably successfully. The winner in all this: Arena football. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-maurice-clarette/228787/8 "2004-02-13T01:02:06Z")
> [@](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > If the League is smart, they’ll devise a system whereby a draftee’s rookie contract doesn’t kick in until he is three years out of high school (the current age-limit), or until his team deems him ready to be part of its 53-man roster – whichever comes first. > > Unless the team or league guarantees the contract (unlikely), this will be challenged in court, probably successfully. Why? What’s the difference (legally) between a contract that kicks in immediately and one that kicks in at a specified later date, when either can be voided at any time, anyway? (A contract’s signing bonus, of course, would be guaranteed in any case.) ---
**Author:** ![Sqube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aca169/32.png) [@Sqube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sqube)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2004, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-maurice-clarette/228787/9 "2004-02-14T08:22:03Z")
As was previously stated, I don’t think this is necessarily going to be a problem. While (IMO) absurdly young players will be able to join, they won’t necessarily be drafted. There’s a huge difference between 18 and 21 in terms of football; a difference that I don’t believe is paralelled in basketball. I posit that the difference between a high school player playing in the NBA and a high school player playing in the NFL is significant enough that few teams will take the risk. Even if none of these arguments are applicable, I think the NFL would be wary of drafting young players due to the examples being currently set in the NBA; for every Carmelo Anthony or LeBron James, there are a lot more Kwame Browns (to his credit, Brown is doing much better this year. However, see how he performed prior to this season). ---
**Author:** ![Black\_Oak\_Arkansas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/65b543/32.png) [@Black\_Oak\_Arkansas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Black_Oak_Arkansas)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2004, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-maurice-clarette/228787/10 "2004-02-14T12:39:05Z")
The NFL either owns or part owns the Arena league, and the Arena League is split into (let’s say) a Division 1 and a Division 2. Stick Clarett in these ranks for a couple of years, pay him 30,000 bucks and see what he can do. Too bad the XFL died, he could of went there, and then there is the CFL. There are options. What makes me mad :mad: as hell is that people like Clarett go to a fine University such as OSU and pisses it away, while many college students and their parents are working hard with student debt just to go. Thats my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2004, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-maurice-clarette/228787/11 "2004-02-14T15:07:05Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > I found this interesting, from an article about the original [ruling](http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/0204a/05ruling.html) Now, most unions have rules about who may and may not take a particular job, do they not? Can’t the NFL union state that only persons with 3 years of post-high school football experience are allowed to take the field? > > Let’s see some manufacturing plant put someone fresh out of high school in a senior position without the union going ape-shit, regardless of how ‘talented’ he is. The statutes governing exactly what requirements unions may impose vary from state to state, though. Florida, for example, is a right-to-work state and employees of Florida businesses may neither be required to join a union nor to meet any qualifications set by a union. So, if the NFLPA did try to set a 3-year rule the Bucs, Dolphins, and Jags, as well as any other right-to-work state teams, would be able to ignore it. The union could, on the other hand, write something like that into its next collective bargaining agreement, I believe. This whole issue is a non-starter, anyway. Personnel directors and head coaches all seem convinced that a fresh-out-of-high-school player isn’t yet mature enough to handle the league. I think you’ll see a lot more guys at the combine each year and a lot more players declare eligibility, but no more than a dozen guys who wouldn’t meet the old requirement will actually make it to a training camp, and perhaps two or three of those will play a game. ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-maurice-clarette/228787/12 "2004-02-15T22:51:00Z")
I find it very interesting that there is invective directed at Clarett, who is only sought, and won, the right to try to make a living as an adult at his chosen profession. The NFL will survive, just as crocodiles survive. The only difference is that the NFL, which has been essentially free-loading on the costs of player development by fobbing that cost onto the NCAA, will have to actually incur the costs of player development itself. Big whoop. As for the NCAA, it’ll have to lighten up too. Eventually it’ll have to allow young players who declare for the NFL draft but who don’t make the NFL team to come back and play in college. Either that, or the NCAA will have to actually use student-athletes, rather than just athletes, on its football teams. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-maurice-clarette/228787/13 "2004-02-15T23:16:22Z")
Yeah, like **zamboniracer** , i don’t really see the problem here. If the youngsters can cut it in the pros, they’ll get selected. If they can’t, then they won’t. Clarette’s victory does not require any NFL team to draft or sign any particular player. And if this development helps to weed out some college players who are _only_ in college to play football, i’ll be very happy. ---
**Author:** ![Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/2bfe46/32.png) [@Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xavier)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2004, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-maurice-clarette/228787/14 "2004-02-16T00:29:22Z")
You’re welcome. –Signed, Maurice Clarette ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2004, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-maurice-clarette/228787/15 "2004-02-16T08:58:10Z")
> [@Xavier](#): > > You’re welcome. > > –Signed, > > Maurice Clarette Funny. You’d think he’d know how to spell his own [surname.](http://football.about.com/cs/playerprofiles/p/mauriceclarett.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2004, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-maurice-clarette/228787/16 "2004-02-16T14:33:32Z")
Anyone want to takes bets on whether he’ll sue the NFL again if he doesn’t get drafted in the first round? ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2004, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-maurice-clarette/228787/17 "2004-02-16T15:02:36Z")
> [@zamboniracer](#): > > … the NCAA will have to actually use student-athletes … Watch it. You’re messing with a billion dollar institution here. I’m not sure of the exact date but I think the last time big-time football colleges depended on their student body for players was March 18, 1923. ---
**Author:** ![hroeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@hroeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hroeder)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-maurice-clarette/228787/18 "2004-02-17T21:35:35Z")
At some point someone will be seriously hurt or die. At the age of 18 or 19. Then this will go away. Clarette is technically a junior now. He had to sit out a whole year due to violations. Of course I doubt he has that student status. The average career for an NFL running back is 2 and 1/2 seasons. That’s average. When you factor in the players who last fifteen or twenty. . .