Tribune editorial staff

At least for now, Maurice Clarett has successfully challenged the National Football League.

U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin of New York granted the 20-year-old Clarett's demand that he be deemed eligible for the NFL draft in April. The ruling, if it stands, changes an NFL policy which states players cannot enter the draft until their high school class is at least three years removed from graduation. In Clarett's case, he would not be eligible until 2005.

After a stellar freshman season at Ohio State, Clarett was suspended the following season for violating NCAA rules and for lying to investigators after someone allegedly broke into a rental car in his possession. With few options, Clarett decided to challenge the NFL.

In our eyes, the NFL has the right to set their standards as they see fit. A school district, for example, would not hire a teacher out of high school. A few individuals may be talented enough at this stage in their lives to educate others, but they must take additional training before they can enter the profession.

The argument that professional baseball, basketball and hockey allow players to join their sports straight out of high school is weak because football is a much rougher sport. Just look at the average career of players in each of these sports and those playing football retire at a younger age - a lot of them due to career-ending injuries.

The NBA has proven that some may be physically mature enough to play professionally out of high school, but mentally, most of the players are not ready. Sure, Lebron James is having a solid season for the Cleveland Cavaliers, but look at the others who made the jump in recent years. It took players such as Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady and Jermaine O'Neal several years to become upper-echelon players.

While Clarett may feel as if he is paving the way for future phenoms to make the jump into the NFL, if he chooses to enter the draft this year, he will be a marked man. Last week, All-Pro linebacker Lavar Arrington of the Washington Redskins said other NFL players look at Clarett's move as "disrespectful" and will "be gunning after him a little more."

As physical as professional football can get, Clarett may very well regret his decision.