By Associated Press - Thursday, May 14, 2015

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) - Former Ohio State football star Maurice Clarett says when it comes to friends, choose wisely.

That was Clarett’s message at Wednesday’s Hope Conference at Youngstown State University, an event that brings social-service agencies together to help those coming from prison get adjusted to a new life.

The Vindicator newspaper reports (https://bit.ly/1cWWJMZ ) Clarett told former prisoners to separate themselves from the people they were with when they got into trouble, adding that everything comes down to the friends a person is surrounded by.



Clarett was a running back for the 2002 national champions, but off-the-field problems kept him from NFL success. He served prison time for a holdup outside a Columbus bar.

In addition to speaking engagements, Clarett says he’s now in the packaging, trucking and rental-home businesses.

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Information from: The Vindicator, https://www.vindy.com

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