Brown says he's not getting respect from OSU

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Hall of Famer Jim Brown insists he's not being treated with respect by Ohio State in his role as adviser to suspended tailback Maurice Clarett.

Brown said Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger was dismissive of him.

"When I am being respected by a mother and son and they are giving me that respect, then I doggone expect to be respected by an athletic director," Brown said. "When you have the power to destroy a kid's life, you have to be gracious in your investigation."

Clarett, one of Ohio State's top players during its run to the national championship last season, is suspended from the team while the NCAA and the university investigate his behavior off the field.

Geiger said Clarett was suspended because of allegations of accepting improper benefits and for misleading investigators. He said the university has been working for the past two weeks on a response to "several pages" of allegations sent by the NCAA to the school.

Brown said Geiger was acting like a "slave master" in an ESPN.com story earlier in the week.

"I think Andy Geiger wants to start a revolution. He is acting like a slave master. If Andy Geiger wants to act like God, then this ballgame is over," Brown was quoted as saying.

Geiger shrugged off Brown's comment.

"I do what I think is right. I do the job I'm supposed to do and I respect other people's opinions," Geiger said before No. 2 Ohio State's 16-13 victory over San Diego State. "I don't wish to elevate or denigrate or do anything else."

Geiger said Ohio State's response to several pages of NCAA allegations against Clarett is nearing completion. He declined to specify when the report would be sent.

Brown said Geiger and Ohio State seem to be trying to demonize Clarett for other problems at the school.

"I guess Ohio State is squeaky clean. I guess Geiger is squeaky clean," he said. "What is Geiger's agenda? His agenda can't be Maurice because he's just a student athlete."

Geiger scoffed at the notion that he might be vindictive against Clarett, who accused Geiger and other Ohio State officials of lying to him last December.

"I've been at this 32 years," Geiger said. "Come on. Good Lord."

Clarett, who set Ohio State freshman records with 1,237 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns last season, said he had been turned down by Ohio State when he asked to fly from the Fiesta Bowl to his home in Youngstown for the funeral of a friend. Ohio State officials said he had not filled out the necessary paperwork.

"They can't lie about that. I won't sit here and let them lie about that," Clarett said at the time.

Alan C. Milstein, the Claretts' family attorney, said Saturday he was mystified why Ohio State is not expediting Clarett's eligibility case.

"Based on the actions of Mr. Geiger and Ohio State, there is no way I could ever begin to figure out what is motivating them," Milstein said.

Milstein said delays in the case have frustrated the Clarett family.

"The family is saying, 'Just tell us what you're going to do.' What's the point of stringing this out?" Milstein said.

Geiger was asked if Ohio State would make its response public once it is finalized.

"We'll see," he said. "The privacy of the individual has always been part of this."