ESPN NFL

Maurice Clarett wants to be in the NFL. And make no mistake, the NFL wants Clarett to be a star in their league. But, as is often said, timing is everything.

In the eyes of the NFL, Clarett is too young and must wait until 2005 for the opportunity to play in the league. According to the NFL's eligibility rules, a player can't enter the draft until he has been out of high school at least three years. Clarett and his lawyer, Alan C. Milstein, believe such an arbitrary stipulation is a violation of antitrust laws and are suing to have the rule changed.

The league is clinging to its stance that the rule exists to protect young players from the physical, mental and emotional trials of professional football. But that argument is transparent.

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