BJD7642

The New York Times reports WR Mike Williams, the star wide receiver who left USC after his sophomore season in the wake of RB Maurice Clarett's victory in federal district court that struck down the NFL's age restrictions, filed his own federal lawsuit in Manhattan yesterday. He sought an injunction that would allow him to be in the NFL draft, which begins Saturday, despite an appeals court ruling yesterday that stayed the lower court decision in the Clarett case. Williams's lawsuit asserts that the NFL made conflicting statements about its age requirements as a result of the district court's ruling, causing Williams to forfeit his college eligibility. Agent Michael Azzarelli said he hoped the federal court would grant Williams a hearing date today. He described Williams as disappointed and surprised by yesterday's stay, issued by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.