Comments on: Maurice Clarett wants to be a rugby Olympian

By: cmonelisha

cmonelisha — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 19:24:26 +0000

and so the changing guard from nfl to rugby beings.. if they make rugby teams and localize it in america..ill watch!

By: reasonableeaglefan

reasonableeaglefan — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:28:57 +0000

Also, I played men’s club rugby for years and reached the national championship once, and competed against US 7′s players. Any posters saying the US will field a side of athletes that are NFL caliber is effing’ dreaming. If he can learn the game, his talent would be a great asset

By: reasonableeaglefan

reasonableeaglefan — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:24:53 +0000

What’s with the hate? The guy made some mistakes and wasted his talent in his early 20s. Maybe he can get his life together now and represent his country at the Olympic level. Hate! Hate! Hate!

By: vanisle1

vanisle1 — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:20:24 +0000

Good luck, Maurice. Everybody deserves a chance to get their lives straight.

And to the guy who said bad things about Ohio, why not go there first, then comment. Personally, I live in paradise (i.e., the Pacific Northwest), but I’ve spent time in Ohio and it’s great, too.

By: dan39564

dan39564 — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:36:58 +0000

Most of the So Called, “Football Athletes” I saw when I played Rugby, Had 3 major flaws:
They wouldn’t pass the ball, except in desperation to avoid a hit!
They would run out of bounds rather than take a hit.
And they couldn’t/wouldn’t tackle!
They are only functional on the Wing.

By: stillworker

stillworker — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:17:28 +0000

Can he play defense?? The ravens are looking for help.

By: imbetterthanyou

imbetterthanyou — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:13:09 +0000

“You can’t just step in and be a US Eagle (rugby national squad). No way he can learn enough about the sport to make the 7s squad for Rio. Could make a good player for Columbus though.”

He has 3 years to learn the sport. Of course he can (i would hope). He was/is? a more or less top notch athlete that will hopefully be able to learn the sport in that time. it took me about 2 years to learn the ins and outs of rugby, albeit only playing a fall and shortened spring season. The other part is getting in rugby shape, which he shouldn’t have too many issues getting into.

Then he just has to learn that breaking fingers and noses is just the norm and you just keep playing.

By: harrisonhits2

harrisonhits2 — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:53:32 +0000

“So Holmes is excited to have an athlete on his hands who was good enough to be a third-round draft pick as an NFL running back.”

Lol not a very correct statement. The Donks may have taken him in the 3rd round, but he obviously wasn’t good enough to be a 3rd round pick because he was cut so quickly and few teams cut 3rd rounders any time soon after the draft.

That was a huge overreach by the Donks.

By: tsuscrumhalf

tsuscrumhalf — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:41:50 +0000

I played rugby for a long time and when we had guys convert from football (if they had talent) they’d either be horrible & not able to take the hitting and the fact that there are no stoppages like huddles, or they’d get it & be amazing.

Here’s hoping that Clarett falls into the amazing category & turns his life around. IF he wants this, it’s going to require an enormous amount of work and dedication. Those skills could serve him well if he chooses to turn his life around.

Go USA Eagles!

By: rugbyisbetter

rugbyisbetter — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:24:52 +0000

Rugby 7′s is not rugby 15s. If the USA can field 7 NFL Caliber athletes they will compete just fine in the Olympics (has another 3 years to learn this sport).
I hope he is able to salvage his life and career after pissing away so many of the best years of his life.
Michael Smith hit it right on the head, any elite level athlete that played rugby in high school went with football instead… Can’t blame them.

By: gbwally

gbwally — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:24:23 +0000

You can’t just step in and be a US Eagle (rugby national squad). No way he can learn enough about the sport to make the 7s squad for Rio. Could make a good player for Columbus though.

By: Steeler's Didn't-but-Will-eventually

Steeler's Didn't-but-Will-eventually — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:22:48 +0000

Good for him and it gets rugby in the US some exposure.

By: godofwine330

godofwine330 — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:14:53 +0000

At least he is doing something positive. With so many former players caught up doing things they shouldn’t after their playing days are completed, him doing Rugby or anything else positive is a plus.

By: garciavega3

garciavega3 — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:14:06 +0000

To bad Tim Tebow hasn’t decided to go this route yet. He could actually be a relevant athlete if he chose to play Rugby.

By: shogunassasin30

shogunassasin30 — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:11:35 +0000

I say that’s awesome. Good for him! Maybe as soon as everyone gets off their soapbox they can realize that everyone deserves a chance at redemption. Amazing how many perfect people post on these boards. It’s an honor to be surrounded by so many perfect people…

By: acdc84

acdc84 — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:04:58 +0000

I thought he was in prison?

By: wryly1

wryly1 — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:04:04 +0000

Clarett is a wannabe. Wannabe pro football player; wannabe gangsta – and now wannabe international rugby player.

By: Rick Spielman is a Magician

Rick Spielman is a Magician — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:00:18 +0000

Because of course he does.

By: mackie66

mackie66 — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:46:10 +0000

Welcome to PFhasbeenTalk. I had to reach back in the memory banks to remember who this guy was.

By: steelerben

steelerben — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:42:56 +0000

From the “Who Cares?” file…

By: dennisatunity

dennisatunity — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:40:59 +0000

Good for him. He made some mistakes but then haven’t we all? I hope this is a fresh start for him and that he makes himself and the USA very successful.

By: wallio

wallio — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:36:49 +0000

Didn’t know we had a national rugby team. Not even trolling, I really didn’t. That’s pretty cool.

By: killface4prez

killface4prez — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:36:07 +0000

Doesn’t this really belong on your sister blog, amateurrugbytalk.com?

By: paleandpasty

paleandpasty — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:30:06 +0000

Good for him. USA, USA, USA……..

By: mtheparrothead

mtheparrothead — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:28:08 +0000

And Ohio wants to not be a crap hole, but we don’t always get our wish.

By: schochnation

schochnation — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:27:43 +0000

Can you use guns in rugby?

By: spunjmunke

spunjmunke — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:26:12 +0000

This guy had all the talent in the world, and then urinated on it with his stupidity and greed.

By: wtfchiefs

wtfchiefs — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:22:00 +0000

Good for him. Good luck.

By: pacificnw7722

pacificnw7722 — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:18:25 +0000

Maybe Ochostinko can play with him?

By: cardiovascularendurance

cardiovascularendurance — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:17:55 +0000

Good luck to him! It’d be pretty awesome if he’s able to accomplish this.