COLUMBUS, Ohio - Maurice Clarett's status for the NFL draft is in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Clarett's attorney, Alan Milstein, filed an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court on Tuesday. He asked for a stay of a federal appeals court's decision from 24 hours earlier preventing the former Ohio State tailback from being in this weekend's draft.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg asked the league Wednesday to file a response to Clarett's appeal by this morning. There was no word when she planned to act on Clarett's emergency request or if she would refer the request to the other eight justices.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued the stay Monday, putting a hold on a lower-court ruling that said the NFL can't force players to wait three years after high school before turning pro. The NFL said the appellate decision ultimately will stand.
There is no court deadline for Ginsburg to act on the request. Clarett's lawyer said if no decision is rendered before the draft Clarett "will suffer substantial irreparable injury." If Ginsburg or the full court turns down the request, the lower court's decision against Clarett stands.
Pittman sentencing
Bucs running back Michael Pittman faces sentencing on his domestic violence case Friday afternoon in Arizona, and his attorney is recommending Pittman be sentenced to up to three years' probation with no jail time.
A newspaper report Wednesday suggested Pittman's sentencing had been postponed and replaced with a status conference, but neither Pittman's attorney nor the presiding judge were aware of such a change when contacted.
"It's news to me," attorney Joel Thompson said. The docket of circuit judge David Talamante reflected a 3 p.m. sentencing Friday.
Pittman pleaded no contest to a felony charge of endangerment last month, stemming from a May incident in which police said he used his Hummer to ram a car with his wife, Melissa, 2-year-old child and babysitter inside.
Thompson said he expects Melissa Pittman to speak in her husband's defense during Friday's sentencing. Once the legal process is completed, Pittman likely faces a multigame suspension from the NFL for his second violation of the league's personal conduct policy.
Bucs eyeing QB Warner?
At least 10 teams are expected to show interest in quarterback Kurt Warner. Is it safe to assume the Bucs are one of them?
Warner cannot sign with another team until after June 1, when the Rams are expected to release him. But his agent, Mark Bartlestein, has begun measuring interest in the 32-year-old. According to the Chicago Tribune, Tampa Bay is possibly "in the mix" for the two-time MVP.
The Bucs already have four quarterbacks under contract: Brad Johnson, Brian Griese, Chris Simms and Jason Garrett. But coach Jon Gruden has shown an interest in almost every veteran free-agent QB this offseason.
Rams coach Mike Martz said Wednesday that Bartlestein overreacted to his Monday conversation with Warner, who could remain with St. Louis.
BRONCOS: Tight end Shannon Sharpe will return for at least one more season. "Shannon called Coach (Mike) Shanahan a few days ago and confirmed that with him," Broncos spokesman Jim Saccomano said. After completing his 14th season, Sharpe, 35, said in January he might retire and planned on announcing his decision before this weekend's draft.
SUMMERALL RELEASED: Broadcaster Pat Summerall, 73, was released from St. Luke's Hospital in Jacksonville, where he received a liver transplant this month. Summerall will remain in the Jacksonville area several weeks for outpatient care until his doctors clear him to return home to Texas.
ROGERS CLEARED: Kick returner Charlie Rogers was cleared of all charges stemming from a bar brawl in Old Bridge, N.J., on July 13, 2002. Rogers, a free agent who played last season for Miami, was acquitted of resisting arrest, hindering his apprehension and four counts of aggravated assault.
- Times staff writers Greg Auman and Rick Stroud contributed to this report.
