By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Maurice Clarett was the keynote speaker of the Crawford: 20/20 State of the Vision Dinner Tuesday night. The former Ohio State running back and prison inmate’s fight against drugs is personal and his redemption involves helping others. Like Crawford County, the running back whose final carry in an Ohio State uniform was scoring the winning touchdown in the 2002 National Championship game looks at what was, what might have been, what is and what can be.
Prior to taking the stage a video montage was played on a projection screen which began with the former Ohio State Football player’s lowlights which included being arrested for armed robbery, as well as weapons charges. The scene changed over to Clarett signing with the Ohio State University and highlights from his freshman season which culminated in a National Championship.
After the video, Galion Police Chief Brian Saterfield introduced the former running back to the crowd.
Clarett compared Crawford County to Youngstown in the battle against drugs.
“Youngstown used to look like Crawford County at one point,” Clarett said. “But the drugs got in there and they kind of took things apart and they eventually fell.”
During his speech Claret spoke of his life growing up in Youngstown, success at Ohio State as well as his fall into depression which led to drug abuse and eventual prison time. It was while in prison that Clarett began to take programs and mentored younger inmates before being granted an early release.
Clarett explained that upon returning to Ohio he started up a non-profit group called “The Comeback” which gives inner city youths a place to go to escape inner city trappings.
After Clarett gave the story of his life from triumph to downfall to redemption, he posed the question that the city leaders to come together with their resources, and figure out how to get people off of drugs.
“There may come a time and place when you have a forum where you have people who are actually on drugs, and you ask them why,” Clarett said.