Judge rules Clarett eligible\nNEW YORK -- Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett was ruled eligible for the NFL draft Thursday by a federal judge who concluded the league's rule violates antitrust laws.\nU.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin ordered the NFL to let Clarett enter April's draft, a decision that could clear the path for others. The league will appeal.\nClarett, 20, played just one season at Ohio State, leading the Buckeyes to the 2002 national championship. He was barred from playing in the 2003 season for accepting improper benefits from a family friend and then lying about it to investigators.\nClarett sued the NFL last summer to challenge the league rule that a player must be out of high school three years for draft eligibility. Thursday's ruling, if not successfully appealed, could allow teenage football stars to turn pro the way younger athletes in other sports can, such as LeBron James in the NBA.\nNo other player has challenged the 1990 NFL eligibility rule. It was adopted because the league's coaches and executives think younger players aren't physically ready for the NFL, although the 6-foot, 230-pound Clarett could be an exception.\nAlan Milstein, a lawyer for Clarett, called Thursday's decision "a total victory" and said Clarett was "thrilled." Clarett was traveling to New York for a news conference later Thursday, Milstein said.\nThe NFL promised to appeal, saying in a statement: "We believe today's ruling is inconsistent in numerous respects with well-established labor and antitrust law."
Lennox Lewis to retire, rumors say\nLONDON -- Lennox Lewis called a news conference for Friday amid reports he is set to announce his retirement.\nThe BBC, citing unidentified sources in the United States, and other British media said the WBC heavyweight champion is ending his 14-year career. A news conference is scheduled for Friday morning in London.\nLewis' management office declined to confirm the boxer's retirement Thursday.\nThe 38-year-old Lewis has fought just twice in the past 26 months, knocking out former undisputed champion Mike Tyson in eight rounds in Memphis in June 2002 and stopping Vitali Klitschko in Los Angeles June 21 of last year. The Ukrainian was ahead on points at the time, but the fight was stopped because of a cut.
