COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Former Ohio State football star Maurice Clarett pleaded guilty Monday to aggravated robbery and carrying a concealed weapon and was sentenced to prison for at least 31/2 years.
The plea deal was announced by Franklin County Common Pleas Judge David Fais on the day jury selection was to begin in the robbery case, in which Clarett is accused of holding up two people outside a bar.
The concealed weapon charge was from his August arrest after a highway chase with police who found four loaded guns in Clarett's sport utility vehicle after they spiked the tires. Police used pepper spray to subdue and handcuff Clarett, who was wearing a bulletproof vest.
He was sentenced to 71/2 years with release from prison possible after 31/2 years. Clarett, 22, also agreed to serve five years of probation after the prison sentence.
Clarett, who was expressionless throughout the hearing, said he understood that he was pleading guilty and reversing his earlier not guilty plea.
"I'd like to apologize for my behavior, and I accept the time that was given to me," he said.
After the deal was announced, he looked over at his mother who was sobbing and holding his 8-week-old daughter while sitting next to his girlfriend.
Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien said he was pleased with the agreement.
"Our view all along was that the conduct demanded a prison sentence, and that's been accomplished, and it's in a range that will allow him to get his life back together after his release," O'Brien said.
Clarett, who led Ohio State to the national championship in 2002, had been charged originally in the police altercation with two counts of failure to comply with an order from a police officer and improper handling of a firearm, in addition to the concealed weapon charge.
Assistant Prosecutor Tim Mitchell said the plea deal is consistent with how his office handles similar cases and that Clarett did not get special treatment.
Had Clarett been convicted on all charges in both cases at trial, he would have faced a three to 34 years in prison, O'Brien said.
Authorities said Clarett flashed a gun and robbed the two people of a cell phone early Jan. 1.
Mitchell said he expects Clarett will serve just over 4 years, with his last six months spent outside prison at a community-based corrections facility.
The plea deal was finalized Monday morning after prosecutors were able to meet with the robbery victims. One victim said all he wanted was an apology, but prosecutors were adamant about prison time, Mitchell said.
Defense attorneys said after the hearing that they hope Clarett can be placed in a state prison with workout facilities so his client can stay in shape for a possible return to football.
"It's been a sobering experience for Maurice to stay the least. He's come to terms with certain things," attorney Nick Mango said.
Clarett had been drinking heavily on New Year's before the robbery, attorney Michael Hoague said. But the attorney did not explain why Clarett had a gun in his waistband.
"Obviously, that was a bad decision," Hoague said.
His attorneys said the loaded guns found by police in Clarett's SUV came from his mother's house and were intended for someone else, but the attorneys did not elaborate.
A victims' assistant from the prosecutor's office read a statement from the robbery victims, who said the ordeal has been hard on all aspects of their lives.
"Mr. Clarett, we hope you will use this opportunity to help someone along the way," the statement said.
The case generated intense media coverage to the point where Clarett's attorneys asked the court to pay for a public opinion poll to determine if an impartial jury could be seated for the robbery trial.
Fais denied the request. The judge also ordered Clarett to undergo a mental health evaluation. The findings showed that Clarett was competent to stand trial, his attorneys said.
Clarett scored the winning touchdown in the second overtime in Ohio State's championship game, but that was the last time he played for the Buckeyes as a freshman.
After dropping out of Ohio State, he lost a U.S. Supreme Court case challenging the NFL's requirement that players wait three years after high school before turning pro. The Denver Broncos made Clarett a surprise third-round pick in the NFL's 2005 draft, only to cut him during the preseason.
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