There is a great scene in the sequel to the Bad News Bears that summarizes the Maurice Clarett situation perfectly.
In the championship game against the Houston Toros, the Bears stage a miraculous comeback only to fall a couple runs short as the game is called because of a time constraint.
Cheers echo in from the crowd, urging the umpires to reconsider their decision.
“Let them play, let them play, let them play,” resonates throughout the Houston Astrodome.
The umpires, not wanting to disappoint moviegoers, give in and the Bears finish the game. The Bears went on to win the game and the hearts of all those who watched, but it is the phrase “let them play” that has special significance in the Clarett saga.
Clarett started at The Ohio State University his freshman year (2002), helping the Buckeyes win their first national championship in 32 years. His ego and aura grew faster than a Mr. Potato head Chia Pet heading into his sophomore season. However, an off-the-field incident kept him out of the Horseshoe for the entire 2003 season.
So instead of trying to get back with OSU, a university that refused to allow him to go to a family member’s funeral during the week of the Fiesta Bowl, Clarett decided to challenge the NFL for early entrance into its draft.
At issue was the NFL’s rule that players must be three years removed from high school to be eligible for the draft. Last week U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin ruled on the case and said high school seniors and college freshmen and juniors now have the right to enter the NFL Draft.
The NFL said the rule was designed to make sure the players are developed enough to play with the pros — you know, able to make a long-distance call from the back of the end zone or able to autograph a ball within five seconds of scoring a touchdown.
But why shouldn’t football players right out of high school be allowed to play in the NFL.
High school baseball and basketball athletes make the jump to Major League Baseball and the NBA on a yearly basis. Players such as Ken Griffey Jr., Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Alex Rodriguez and LeBron James never even walked onto a collegiate field.
So what holds the NFL to a higher standard than all other sports?
Nothing. Yes players must be more developed to play in the NFL than other athletes in other sports. And yes the learning curve to play professional football is much more difficult than other sports.
But if a player wants to play and believes he is good enough to perform at the NFL level, then nothing should hold him back. Who is to say that Clarett or newly eligible sophomore receiver Larry Fitzgerald will not star at the NFL level?
Only time will tell if these young athletes are ready for some football, but for the time being — let them play.