Columbus, Ohio – Former Ohio State star tailback Maurice Clarett was indicted on charges of robbing two people behind a bar and carrying a concealed weapon, a prosecutor said today.
Clarett is accused of flashing a gun and demanding property from a man and a woman early Jan. 1. Police said he got into a sport utility vehicle with two men after he was identified by the bar owner, who happened to come out into the alley.
No one was injured, and only a cell phone was taken, police said.
Clarett, who led Ohio State to the 2002 national championship, was charged with two counts of aggravated robbery and four lesser robbery counts, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien said.
He was sought by police for almost two days before he turned himself in about the time the Buckeyes were completing a win over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 2. He posted $50,000 bond and was released from jail.
Clarett rushed for 1,237 yards and scored 16 touchdowns as an Ohio State freshman in 2002.
His final touchdown, in the second overtime of the Fiesta Bowl, gave the Buckeyes a 31-24 upset of top-ranked Miami for the national title.
He was drafted in the third round by the Denver Broncos in April of 2005. The running back was released in August after failing to fit in with teammates on and off the field.
Denver Post sports writer Bill Williamson contributed to this report.
