After Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh called for a greater share of college football revenue to flow down to college athletes across the sport, former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett commended the coach of his alma mater’s rival, and threw his support behind the Wolverines in Monday’s national championship.
“I don’t care what team you’ve played for and I don’t care what sport you’ve played. Jim Harbaugh and any other coach who has the balls to talk like this while on the national stage has to be celebrated and commended,” Clarett said in a post on X. “He’s advancing the conversation and forcing people to have discussions about revenue and throwing out possible solutions for players to benefit.
“He’s now my favorite college coach after Jim Tressel. I don’t care about any rivalry that much. I care about the advancement of the sport. I was essentially suspended for improper benefits which derived from not having money. …Much respect to Harbaugh and good luck to Michigan on Monday. I hope they win and he sings this message louder.”
Neal C. Lauron/The Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY Network
Clarett rooting for his alma mater’s archrival will certainly be met with mixed emotions from Ohio State fans, but it’s doubtful that the former Buckeyes star will care all that much. He certainly believes that Harbaugh’s message that he preached on Saturday at national championship media day is that important.
Harbaugh called for “anyone who is profiting from student athletes” to take “5-10% less” to go into a pot for college athletes to benefit from.
“Maybe that’s a start, a way. … that it [would] be right for all student-athletes to share in,” Harbaugh said on Saturday.
Michigan takes on Washington in the College Football Playoff national championship on Monday night. Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. ET.
