NEW YORK, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- A New York judge Wednesday refused to upset her ruling on the National Football League draft eligibility of Ohio State University running back Maurice Clarett.
Clarett, who played just one season for the Buckeyes, was declared eligible for the NFL draft by U.S. District Judge Shira Schneindlin, who ruled the league violated antitrust laws.
Tuesday, the NFL asked for a stay of the decision, but Scheindlin refused, allowing the newly eligible player to participate in the draft.
Clarett ran for 1,327 yards and helped lead the Buckeyes to a national championship in 2002. But he was suspended by Ohio State prior to the 2003 season for accepting improper benefits from a family friend and then lying to investigators.
Clarett filed his lawsuit on Sept. 23, asking a judge to eradicate an NFL rule prohibiting players from entering the draft until they have been out of high school three years.
The NFL argued that Clarett should not be eligible because its rule was part of the collective bargaining agreement with the players.
