Maurice Clarett Crime Spree Update: Judge Sets Bail at $5 Million - The prosecutor had asked for a $1 million bond to keep Maurice away from the public a little bit longer and the judge agreed. Boy, did he ever agree, raising it to a whopping $5 million. Unless Ohio State wants to put up part of the Horseshoe as collateral, we doubt the former Buckeye running back will be seeing daylight anytime soon. (CBC Sports) At right, Clarett uses his one phone call from jail to see if anyone can deliver a case of Grey Goose Vodka to his cell C.O.D. (See earlier stories below)

BadJocks Source Was Right! - For once, one of our sources actually knew what he was talking about. Yesterday we reported that cops were concerned that Maurice Clarett's rolling arsenal was intended for a witness in his upcoming robbery trial. ESPN is now reporting that Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien says that yesterday's arrest came near the home of a witness set to testify against Clarett next week in the robbery case. (At right, Maurice Clarett's latest mug shot.)
Update: Owner of Indoor Football League Team Clarett Was to Play For Not Concerned About New Charges - Jim Terry, owner/coach of the Mahoning Valley Hitmen of the Eastern Indoor Football League is apparently not concerned about his star player's recent arrest. Terry claims he's seen "far worse situations" than Clarett's. Really Jim? Did you coach in a prison league? (WANE)
In Case You Forgot - Here's the timeline of events surrounding former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett.
Maurice Clarett Crime Spree Continues: Cops Have to Taser AND Mace Former Ohio State Running Back After Finding Arsenal of Weapons in SUV - A lot of people were hoping that earlier charges against the former Buckeye star were false and that it was all a big misunderstanding about him, a gun and robbing some people of their cell phones behind a bar (allegedly.) This latest turn is going to be a bit harder to explain away: according to police reports, an SUV was spotted driving erratically early this morning along Interstate 70 near Columbus. When cops gave chase the vehicle did a u-turn on the highway, but eventually ran into one of those stop-sticks officers had placed on the road. Eventually the vehicle was pulled over in a restaurant parking lot were Clarett reluctantly exited wearing--I'm not making this up!--a bulletproof vest. Not surprisingly, the former running back was uncooperative and police had to use both a Taser and Mace on him. Inside the vehicle they found what is being described as an "arsenal of weapons" including: a loaded assault rifle, three loaded handguns, a hatchet, and an open bottle of vodka in the front of the vehicle. Authorities plan to charge him with carrying concealed weapons and other counts. One positive note: now that he's already in jail, it will be easier for Maurice to attend his trial on that little aggravated robbery charge which starts Monday. (NBCi4) At left, an artist's re-creation of what Clarett may have looked like at the time of arrest.

Indy Cheerleader Hazing Update: Newspaper Posts Messy MySpace Pics, Father Says Daughter Punched . . . in the Crotch? As we reported earlier this week, six cheerleaders from Lawrence North High School near Indianapolis have been kicked off the squad for hazing freshman. But now--to quote Paul Harvey--we have . . . the rest of the story. According to Robert Hampton, the father of one of the victims, his 15-year-old daughter and other freshmen were blindfolded and taken to an abandoned building at Fort Benjamin Harrison. Once there, the older girls dumped a variety of food items on them including cat litter and shaving cream. Oh, and for good measure, the older girls punched the freshmen in the crotch. Then they hosed the freshman off, leaving just fond memories . . . or so everyone thought. The whole thing would have stayed a secret--as it apparently has in past years-- except that the upperclassmen decided to post pictures of the event (example, right) on a MySpace page, which upset the freshman. According to Hampton's daughter, "They shouldn't have (done) that They should have just kept it in like they said they (would). But they didn't." Girls told parents, parents told the school and suspensions ensued. Before you think this is all just some innocent fun gone astray, the six who got the boot were also part of the squad last year that was caught drinking at a football playoff game just last fall. (Indy Channel)

#125! Middle school coach arrested as part of internet sting. Showed up at home of "15-year-old boy" (actually the cops) for sex carrying a tube of lubricant, two condoms and a digital camera. In addition to this coaching duties David Campbell Jones, 46 was also an eighth-grade science teacher, athletic director, and local Scoutmaster. (WRAL)
#124! Middle school coach indicted on a first-degree sexual abuse charge involving a student, becomes the 7th educator this year in the Russell County School District (Alabama) brought up on charges this year. (Ledger-Enquirer)

Not THAT Eddie Johnson, the Other Eddie Johnson! Several BadJocks readers have asked us to pull an earlier story (below) about former NBA star Eddie Johnson and his alleged assault of an 8-year-old neighbor girl. Unlike some other media outlets, we corrected identified this Eddie as a 6-foot-2 (far left), two-time NBA All-Star who played most of his career in Atlanta. Some folks incorrectly identified the bad guy as the 6-foot-8 former player (left) who does color commentary on Phoenix Suns telecasts during the season, gives motivational speeches and runs basketball clinics for youngsters. Oops. To clear things up, the guy who was arrested DOES NOT work for the Suns and instead has a long history of criminal activity. (MSNBC.com) In a related story, Ervin "Magic" Johnson released a statement thanking his parents for not naming him Eddie.

High Pressure World of HS Volleyball Results in Resignations of Two Coaches for . . . Forgery? Okay, so the story above this one was strange, but how about this: two HS volleyball coaches from Ohio were forced to resign after it was revealed that they may have forged the signature of the district's new 8th grade volleyball coach on a letter of resignation this summer. Apparently they wanted someone else to have the job so Perry High Volleyball Coach Keith T. Whitaker and assistant Kristy K. Vodopich allegedly signed Christine L. Beatty’s name to the letter back on July 12 and submitted it to Athletic Director Frank Gamble. (Hmm, you'd think Ms. Beatty would quickly realize she hadn't actually resigned and tell someone, wouldn't you? Not the brightest plan to get rid of her if you ask us.) Both coaches say this is all a big misunderstanding, but now face felony forgery charges and have resigned their jobs as a result of the allegations. (The Independent)

Former NBA Star Arrested for Assaulting 8-Year-Old Girl - Former NBA All-Star Eddie Johnson was denied bail Wednesday, a day after he was arrested for taking advantage of an 8-year-old girl. (We'll let you read the rest of the gory details at the link.) Lest you think this is a freak occurrence for Mr. Johnson, the Ocala Star-Banner reports that since 1989, court records show he had numerous convictions: burglary, battery, robbery, marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest, along with a charge last month of battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting or obstructing an officer without violence, (WRAL) 

"Dirty Dozen" Update: Stripper Pictures Cost Catholic University Women's Lacrosse Team Three Games, Dean Wormer Puts Them on Double-Secret Probation - It was the picture that catapulted our sports initiation picture report into high gear: a distressed looking lacrosse player from Catholic U being lifted into the air by a male stripper wearing nothing but a thong. School officials were obviously embarrassed and launched what is likely the longest investigation of exotic male dancers in college sports history. Almost three months later, CU has announced that the antics (although not calling them hazing) team members engaged in were ". . . regrettable activities that are contrary to the expectations we have for our students and to the values of the university." Three games played after the pictures were taken this spring have been forfeited and the entire squad is on probation, meaning the girls ". . . will be under greater scrutiny should disciplinary matters arise during the upcoming academic year." (ESPN) 
To be fair, it seems like we should repost those pictures so that the 2 or 3 of you who missed it the first time can see what the uproar was about. Click here to see our original posting of the pics. NOTE: Unlike our buff friend in the pictures, these photos will only be up for a few days, so enjoy them while you can.

Another Bengal Arrested for DUI . . . on a Boat? After being lectured to by the team owner about not rushing to judgment about the character of his team, we find it interesting that--despite all the bad press--players continue to put themselves in this situation. The latest is offensive guard Eric Steinbach has been charged in northern Kentucky with operating a boat under the influence of alcohol. How bad does your boat driving have to be for someone to notice your drunk? Fortunately, he posted bond and should be able to return to practice with rest of the felons--we mean team--today. (Channel Cincinnati - link includes video clip)

HS Cheerleaders Kicked Off Team for Hazing - If you read this story, it certainly appears that parents at Lawrence North High School near Indianapolis have been complaining about cheerleaders conducting hazing rituals for years but administrators haven't acted because they didn't have proof. Well, now they have proof in the form of a set of photos provided to The Indianapolis Star by a cheerleader's parent. In them victims are seen wearing blindfolds before being smothered in ketchup, olive oil and other food and then, for good measure, sprayed with a hose. Of course NOW hazing won't be tolerated at the school and six of the older girls responsible for the hazing have been kicked off the squad. While you're at it Lawrence North, you may also want to rewrite the part of your anti-hazing policy that reads "against a person's will." According to our friend--and hazing expert--professor Hank Nuwer, most victims agree to being hazed as a demonstration of loyalty to a group or because of sheer peer pressure. Most colleges have adopted a "willing or not" policy on hazing, although many like U of Iowa, refuse to enforce that part. (Indy Star)
BONUS: Just last fall, 7 members of the Lawrence North cheerleading squad were busted for drinking at a football playoff game. Remember? This is the story where cops gave them a breathalyzer during the game. It made our Top Ten Naughty Cheerleader Stories of 2005

Star College Soccer Player Arrested During Game for Causing Fatal Accident on Way to Play - It was about 30 minutes into a soccer game for the San Francisco Celtic club team when the police pulled up. The referee stopped the game and pulled the players into a huddle and then the officers explained that they were investigating a recent traffic accident and thought one of the players might have been involved. To the team's surprise, Brian McCarthy, 19, who's alos a star player for Skyline College, stepped forward and said, "You guys are looking for me," and he was promptly arrested and lead off the field in handcuffs. McCarthy was later charged with vehicular manslaughter after causing an accident on his way to the game. (SF Gate)

Steelers D-Lineman Arrested While Allegedly Riding Motorcycle Recklessly . . . Without a Helmet? You'd think that nearly losing your starting quarterback in a motorcycle accident in the off-season while not wearing a helmet would make a football player think. If not about keeping the bike in the garage, then at least putting something over that little used part of your anatomy: your brain. But apparently not if you're the Steeler's Barrett Brooks. He was arrested over the weekend for fleeing police on his motorcycle at 2:30 in the morning after running several stop signs. One report claims that Brooks nearly wrecked the bike, then tried to get up and ride away, only to be "tackled" by a police officer before he could get away . . . all 325 lbs of him. That must have been some gung-ho cop! Anyway, Coach Bill Cowher repeatedly expressed "disappointment" in Brooks following yesterday practice (even though he wasn't wearing a helmet while riding), while Mr. Brooks maintains that it's all just a big misunderstanding and once the truth comes out he will be vindicated. At least he was arrested for DUI. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

#123! Girls HS soccer coach lures 14-year-old with promise of modeling contract. (KTVU)

No More Hazing at USC? Last year at the University of Southern California football camp the team had many hazing traditions, including shaving the heads of freshman, rookies vs. veterans wrestling, and a water balloon fight that caused damage to a dormitory. But that's all changed this season as coach Pete Carroll banned all types of team hazing, although no one seems to know exactly why. Something to do with that nationally televised loss to Vince Young and Texas maybe? (Press Telegram)

HS Football Hazings Continue: Upperclassman Pulls Out 2 Foot Metal Rod, Tells Younger Boy "Defend Yourself" - We occasionally get email from people asking why we make such a big deal about sports hazings. "It's a rite of passage everyone goes though, what's the big deal?" they ask, often adding derogatory comments about my parentage. Normal rite of passage, huh? Try telling that to the 15-year-old football player at Center Grove High School (Indiana) who was, allegedly, assaulted by several teammates after practice last week. Among other things, the upperclassman pinned him to the floor while several allegedly took turns striking and kicking him. Not satisfied with that assault, another boy dropped his own pants and rubbed his buttocks on the victim's head. (Just typical locker room horseplay, you say? How about this last part?) And finally, one creative upperclassman pulled out a 2-foot long round metal rod, placed it next to the victim and told him to, "Defend yourself" then the older boy allegedly tried to shove the rod into the younger boy's rectum. Like anyone in that position, the victim screamed, (probably something along the lines of "Don't shove that steel rod up my ass!") alerting coaches who entered the room ending everyone's fun for the day . . . and possibly leading to assault charges. Yeah, sounds like a typical rite of passage to us. (Indy Star) Thanks to Duane S. for the link!

Coach as Pimp Update: US Capitol Police Officer Charged With Videotaping Himself Having Sex With 15-Year-Old - HS Coach Sex Scandal #122 (see below) gets even stranger. Now comes word that a officer who's been with the US Capitol Police Department for 15 years not only had sex with an underage girl (who just happened to have been born when he joined the force) but also allegedly videotaped himself doing so. (Star News Online)

BadJocks Update: Landis Fails Second Drug Test, Vows to Find Real Dopers - The second test of the urine sample taken from Tour de France winner Floyd Landis confirmed the positive results of the first test: an elevated testosterone ration at 11-1, more than three times the normally occurring level in most males. The results likely mean he will be stripped of the win and banned from competitive cycling for two years. Landis' camp had expected this results, floating a trial balloon earlier this week that the unusual ratio was the result of dehydration, a theory dismissed by most experts. Now the discussion will likely move to the blame game, trying to convince the public (and indirectly the World Anti-Doping Agency) that Floyd was the victim of some kind of sabotage, such as a tainted water bottle. Good luck with that. (ABC News) At right, one result from a Google image search for "urine sample". This cartoon is part of a series of images from the website UK Sport which "... works in partnership with the home country sports councils and other agencies to lead sport in the UK to world-class success." And, apparently, conducts athlete drug tests as well. The title over this image is Step 4, Providing a sample under supervision. See the entire sequence here.

Rival Fans Have Fun With Oklahoma Quarterback Scandal - It didn't take long for Texas Longhorn fans to pile on to the Sooners' pain of having to dismiss starting quarterback Rhett Bomar for allegedly taking extra cash from a car dealership he worked, uh, part time. The PhotoShoppers were working overtime, and at right is a sample from the message board HornFans.com. Most include the former starting QB either with cash in hand, cash falling out of his uniform when he's being tackled, selling cars, or on various DVD covers. (Thanks to the guys over at Deadspin for the link!)
But Not Everyone is Happy: Website Claims Racism Still Rampant at OU - The Black Athlete Sports Network (". . . a site anchored in sports that will be the definitive place on the Internet to find coverage of Black athletes, and Black involvement in sports at all levels") has an column called "Justice Delayed, Not Denied at Oklahoma" that claims that racism was behind Bomar's rise to the starting job last year over "Oklahoma's Black Starting Quarterback Paul Thompson who had clearly won that job in the 2005 pre-season and was so announced, was summarily humiliated by Head Coach Bob Stoops yanked from his position before even one regular season game was complete in favor of White Freshman Rhett Bomar." After that transgression, Thompson was converted to wide receiver but is now the only Sooner player with any experience at the QB position. The BASN column ends by saying--in a style that looks almost poetic--that "The only Question now is will Stoops and the Sooners repeat their mistake of last Season and ( aka Racism ) turn to one of their inexperienced White Quarterbacks in order to avoid naming Black QB Paul Thompson their Starting Quarterback and throw away this season or will they admit their Mistake and make Paul Thompson Starting Quarterback Again !" Read it for yourself here.