In the wake of the NFL's ruling that formation Ohio State standout running back Maurice Clarett was not eligible for the NFL Draft, a few issues have come to light. Here are a few things that NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue should ponder before setting precedent on this subject.

At the age of 18, the United States views you as a legal adult.

After this milestone, the nation considers you mature enough to make your own decisions, and be legally bound by them. You can go to war, you can vote, but if your name is Maurice Clarett, you cannot play professional football. If Clarett wants to forego his remaining eligibility, is that not his prerogative? Granted, he is only a sophomore, but who is the NFL to tell him he can't use his athletic talent to try and improve his life?

Other professional leagues allow underage participants. Why not the NFL?

The NBA is notorious for letting high school kids try their hand at the pro game. Some work out, some don't, but the league views it as basketball's built-in Darwinian "survival of the fittest." If these kids can't make it in the NBA, then they will be cut from the roster. However, they were given the opportunity to try, which is more than Clarett ever received from the NFL. This is an example of age discrimination at its finest. For crying out loud, Major League Soccer is allowing 14-year-old Freddie Adu to play professionally. What is the difference?

Body maturity is a minor issue and a weak excuse.

Recently, pundits and other NFL players have mentioned the issue of body maturity as a strike against Clarett. I find this weak, petty and irrelevant. True, the NFL subjects its players to some of the most grueling physical abuse in professional sports. True, injuries happen in every major sporting league, maybe more so in the NFL. True, the NFL has a long season and is a collision sport, not just a contact sport. However, pro boxing let an 18-year-old Mike Tyson fight professionally.