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Ohio State Names Maurice Clarett First 2026 Victory Bell Ringer
Maurice Clarett will ring Ohio State’s Victory Bell before a home game in 2026.
The bell is used to celebrate Ohio State football wins.
Clarett became famous as a freshman on the 2002 national championship team.
He helped the team finish 14-0 and win the title.
After that season, he left the program following an NCAA-related suspension.
He later faced legal trouble and spent more than three years in prison.
Clarett then worked to rebuild his life and founded a behavioral health organization called The Red Zone.
Ohio State says his return honors both his football accomplishments and the positive work he does today.
Maurice Clarett will ring Ohio State’s pregame Victory Bell first during the 2026 season.
Clarett starred for the 2002 Buckeyes, rushing for 1,237 yards and scoring 18 total touchdowns.
Ohio State went 14-0 and won the BCS national championship against Miami in a double-overtime Fiesta Bowl.
Clarett never played again for Ohio State after a 2003 suspension involving alleged NCAA violations.
Since founding The Red Zone in 2016, Clarett has focused on behavioral health, recovery support, and community service.
- Who
- Maurice Clarett, Ohio State football, former coach Jim Tressel, and current coach Ryan Day.
- What
- Clarett was named the first pregame Victory Bell ringer of Ohio State’s 2026 season.
- Where
- At Ohio Stadium before Ohio State takes the field.
- When
- The honor will take place during the 2026 football season; Clarett’s celebrated Ohio State season was 2002.
- Why
- Ohio State said the honor recognizes Clarett’s role on the 2002 championship team, his resilience, and his later work helping others.
Key facts
- 2002 statistics
- Clarett rushed for 1,237 yards, scored 16 rushing touchdowns, and finished with 18 total scores.
- 2002 record
- Ohio State went 14-0 under coach Jim Tressel.
- Championship
- Ohio State defeated Miami in a double-overtime Fiesta Bowl to win the BCS title.
- Ohio State departure
- Clarett was suspended for the 2003 season over alleged NCAA violations and never played another down for the Buckeyes.
- The Red Zone
- Clarett founded the Youngstown behavioral health group in 2016.
- Recent Ohio State role
- He served as a mentor on Ryan Day’s staff during the 2024-25 season.
- Recognition
- Ohio State’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health gave Clarett its 2025 STAR Award for stress, trauma, and resilience.
Quotes
Jim Tressel
Former Ohio State head football coach
“Maurice played a defining role in one of the most memorable seasons we had, but I’m even more proud of the man he has become and the lives he continues to impact.”
livemint.com
“Maurice has been great with our players, sharing his perspective, his experiences, and the lessons he has learned.”
livemint.com
Sources
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