NFL Tries to Block Clarett Ruling

The NFL isn’t going to accept the Maurice Clarett ruling without a fight.

The league made another attempt Friday to block the decision allowing the former Ohio State running back into the April draft.

Citing “potentially tragic consequences” if the decision stands, the league asked the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for a stay of U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin’s ruling earlier this month.

If the league were to beat long odds and achieve a stay, it could have a devastating impact on Clarett and USC sophomore Mike Williams, both of whom have hired agents and, therefore, are ineligible to return to college football. If they were kept out of the 2004 draft, those players would have to wait a year to resume their football careers.

Attorney Jeffrey Kessler, a leading sports lawyer and co-chairman of litigation for Dewey Ballantine LLP, characterized the NFL’s chance for a stay “a longshot.”

“It’s a very difficult argument,” Kessler said. “Sometimes stays are granted, but not very often.”

In documents submitted Friday, league attorneys argued the ruling threatened the livelihood of all NFL players and said the decision “is almost certain to be reversed.”

“For as long as this decision remains outstanding, young athletes, including adolescents, will be encouraged to put at risk their health

Clarett helped lead the Buckeyes to a national championship as a freshman in 2002, then was suspended before last season. Before Scheindlin’s ruling in his favor, he would have had to wait until 2005 -- when he was three years removed from high school -- to be eligible for the NFL draft.

Williams is the only other player so far to enter the draft under the Clarett ruling.

Players have until Monday to announce their intention to enter the draft, then are given a 72-hour window to rescind their application.

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Associated Press contributed to this report.