Ep 15. Youngstown Boys

In season 2, episode 15 of the hit sports documentary series 30 for 30, the focus shifts to the gritty industrial town of Youngstown, Ohio, and the two men who took the city by storm: Southern California football coach, Jim Tressel, and the legendary running back Maurice Clarett.

The episode chronicles the twists and turns of their intertwined careers, starting with Tressel's arrival at Youngstown State University in 1986. Though he was met with skepticism from the local media and boosters alike, Tressel quickly proved himself to be a master of the game, leading the Penguins to four Division I-AA championships in the 1990s. Along the way, he forged a fierce bond with the blue-collar town and its hard-nosed inhabitants.

Enter Clarett, one of the most highly touted high school recruits in the country. Despite growing up just a few miles down the road from Youngstown, Clarett had never heard of Tressel until the coach began to pursue him relentlessly. When Clarett finally committed to play for the Buckeyes, Tressel's alma mater, it seemed like the perfect match: a hometown hero playing for a beloved coach at a legendary program.

But things quickly went sideways. Clarett found himself at the center of a firestorm of controversy, from legal issues off the field to conflicts with the Ohio State coaching staff over playing time and money. Meanwhile, Tressel's reputation took a hit when it was revealed that he had known about and covered up Clarett's NCAA violations.

The Youngstown Boys episode of 30 for 30 not only delves into the specifics of these scandals, but also explores the broader social and economic context in which they occurred. Youngstown was an emblematic example of the decline of Rust Belt cities in the late 20th century, with factories closing and jobs disappearing. Against this backdrop, football took on an almost mythic importance as a source of pride and identity for the city. The episode explores the ways in which Tressel and Clarett embodied these complex, competing cultural forces.

In many ways, the story of Tressel and Clarett is a tragedy. Both men achieved incredible success early on, becoming heroes in their respective worlds. But those worlds ultimately proved to be unsustainable. Tressel's tenure at Ohio State ended ignominiously after a separate scandal involving tattoo parlor violations, while Clarett's brief NFL career was derailed by legal troubles and substance abuse.

Yet the Youngstown Boys episode of 30 for 30 refuses to reduce these figures to mere cautionary tales. Instead, it paints a nuanced portrait of two flawed and fascinating men whose lives were shaped, and often upended, by the forces swirling around them. It's a story of triumph and loss, of loyalty and betrayal, and of a city that refuses to surrender in the face of adversity. Whether you're a diehard football fan or simply intrigued by the human drama at the heart of the sport, this episode is a must-watch.