This is a story of grace, mercy, reality, and truth. It
is an account of a young man from the ‘hood, who made good on the football
field, but never really fully understood.
Mr. Maurice (Reese) Clarett was the product of his
environment. Growing up he wanted to prove himself to the guys in his inner
city Youngstown, Ohio neighborhood. In doing so, within one three month period
of time he got picked up by police three times and was headed to juvenile
detention, but for the intervention of an “angel,” a man who took him under his
wing convincing the judge to allow Mr. Clarett to spend the summer being mentoring
him in lieu of time in the juvenile detention center. This would be Mr.
Clarett’s first taste of grace (which is an instance where you don’t get what
you deserve; instead you get what you need).
Truth is that in the cities of America – especially
among the poor minorities – gangs and a variety of thugs substitute for missing
fathers in the lives of young men. These lowlifes companions teach the young
men the ways of their evil world. The young men emulate these lousy “role models”
to the chagrin and dismay of their mothers and grandmothers.
Star
Athlete
In Mr. Clarett’s case he was “saved” by a couple of
adult men who saw potential in him and stepped up and encouraged him to pursue
his athletic talents. They took him under their wings and taught him discipline
and raised his expectations. Therefore Mr. Clarett became very successful
throughout his high school career. He and his team under his leadership
excelled.
He ended up going to Ohio State University, where as a freshman he
led his team to a national championship in 2002. He even scored the winning TD
in the BCS national championship. Accolades of all kinds came his way. He had a
phenomenal freshmen season. He was a superstar, the next LeBron James. However,
it didn’t take too long before his world was shattered.
Shackled
Unfortunately others wanted a piece of the Clarett
action and glorly. The good ‘ole boys from the Youngstown ‘hood came back into
his life, and he lost his focus, his concentration. Drugs, alcohol, girls, he was basking is his
celebrity and glory. He got suckered into the kind of lifestyle that leads one
astray. He had several run-ins with the law. He got tossed off the football team,
lost his scholarship, left school his sophomore year.
Depression led him deeper into the lifestyle that
sidetracked his brilliant, promising football career. He tried to escape by
going to the West Coast. But he got mixed up with an even more intense and
care-free party crowd than the one he fellowshipped with in Ohio.
He attempted to get into professional football after he
was drafted in the third round by the Denver Broncos. He knew he was not in
shape to be a professional football player after wasting himself in Ohio and
California. But he went to the Broncos training camp. He said he was a poor
teammate, a chronic complainer and not as dedicated to the game as he should
have been. He was released. Another failure he felt.
He returned to Ohio but soon got reconnected to the Youngstown
boys from the ‘hood and returned to his immature and drug dulling depression
pattern. He didn’t want to face reality.
It wasn’t until he was incarcerated in the penitentiary
that he began to see the light, thanks to a warden who advised him to put
himself on the right track. Mr. Clarett heeded the warden and the example and
mentoring of very helpful lifer inmate, who shared the things of God with him.
Saint
When he got out of prison he was better prepared to
face reality. He even played professional football again in Omaha, Nebraska,
where under the direction and instruction of a pastor he said that he eventually
gave his life to God as a Christ-follower in 2012.
Mr. Clarett now speaks to groups about his restored
life and he helps young men to avoid taking the wrong path that he chose to
take. At 30 years of age he plans to return to school to complete his degree.
He wants to pursue an entrepreneurial endeavor in the field of geriatric services.
While in prison he received a lot of help and encouraging letters from seniors
who gave so much of themselves to him while he served almost 4 years of a
7-year sentence. Mr. Clarett seems to have made some better decisions in his “old
age” of 30!
Lessons
Learned
What can be learned from this young man’s journey from
football star to cellmate to saint?
·
God is a gracious God, a God of second and
third chances, etc. He is a merciful God. Recognize that you are a sinner and have
missed the mark and accept His provision, Jesus, to completely redeem your life.
·
Be careful in choosing your friends.
·
As long as you stay focused on purposeful
pursuits you are not likely to fall into temptations that will foil your plans
and ruin your life.
·
Use your time, talent and treasure wisely.
You can see or hear the interview for yourself by going
here.
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