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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > May > 09 > Entry
Can Bengals ‘Purify’ Maurice?
PROMISING PRO HAS TROUBLED PAST
The Maurice Purify Story reads like a Chris Henry novel — only worse.
Here’s the four-step Cliffs Notes version:
Purify’s best friend at City College of San Francisco was shot and killed in 2005; Purify’s brother was shot and killed in 2007; Purify’s girlfriend died in a car crash in 2007; Purify was arrested twice in 2007 — for assault and resisting arrest, and later for suspicion of DUI.
The Cincinnati Bengals couldn’t save Henry. LUDWIG AT LARGE wonders if the Bengals can save Purify, who signed a two-year contract on May 8.
From Steven M. Sipple, Lincoln Journal Star:
What Purify would do to erase his well-documented off-the-field issues. “I talked to every single team after the draft,” said Gary Glick, Purify’s agent. “I don’t want to say it’s off-the-field problems, because it’s more like off-the-field perceptions. Each individual thing that’s happened, in itself, is really minor. But I think people have added it all up and taken it in totality. I had four teams tell me they took him off their (draft) board altogether.” I talked to Purify on Monday. Although he appears set to sign a free-agent deal (he’s headed to Cincinnati’s mini-camp this week), he was feeling hurt. He recalled that November day in Kansas, when he kept beating KU cornerback Aqib Talib, a first-round pick. “If he’s first-round, what am I?” Purify asked in a stern voice that hammered home the draft’s harsh reality.
A portion of Purify’s bio, courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com:
Never one to embrace academics, Purify failed to qualify for a major college scholarship coming out of Eureka High School, enrolling at the City College of San Francisco in 2004. He became a two-sport star, excelling in football and basketball.
As a sophomore, Purify received a call the day after Christmas, informing him that his basketball teammate and best friend, Terrell Anderson, the team’s best player, was shot and killed outside a San Francisco night club. Purify was promoted to the starting lineup, replacing his fallen friend who had persuaded him to play basketball for the Rams.
Arriving at Nebraska, all went well for Purify during the 2006, but after his first year with the Huskers, he went through a bit of a tailspin that led to two arrests and an eventual team suspension. In May 2007, he was charged with two counts of assaulting a man and woman at a bar in downtown Lincoln. The media reported that Purify assaulted a doorman of a bar after the doorman had denied him and acquaintance admittance into the bar.
Police say Purify threw a punch at the man and also assaulted the man’s girlfriend when she intervened. When police arrived, they say Purify didn’t comply with their orders. Purify was taken to jail and was let out on bond. He was also authorized to participate in a pre-trial diversion program.
Five weeks later, Purify was again arrested in early June on suspicion of drunken driving. A State Patrol trooper stopped Purify after midnight, at the intersection of Cornhusker Highway and North First Street in Lincoln. Purify was observed driving 53 mph in a 40 mph zone and failing to use his turn signal, patrol spokeswoman Deb Collins said. The 21-year-old Purify was taken to the Lincoln Detoxification Center after being ticketed on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
Purify was suspended from the team for the 2007 season opener, but his off-field issues continued. While in August camp, his 29-year-old brother was shot and killed in Oakland, California. Purify left the team to travel home, returning after the funeral. In early October, just before the Missouri game, Purify’s girlfriend, Reja Shapiro, died in an automobile wreck.
Permalink | Comments (41) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Homer J
May 9, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
How does his girlfriend getting into a car wreck and dying a mark on his record? Also its a strech to say his brother getting shot was something negative about him as well. I can understand the arrests, but not the relatives and girlfriend part, especially with no additional information on what happend in their deaths. The girlfriend part especialy seems a little cold to add that to HIS issues.By Brent
May 9, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this
This kid has definitely had some rough times. Not all the problems that he has incurred are his fault. The deaths can’t count against him and those types of things can really mess with your mental state. I would like to see this guy taken under the wing of somebody that can help him get through rough times. Somebody like TJ or maybe Rudi.By Jason
May 9, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
Henry-like troubled past ???!!! Not even close ! Give the guy a chance before you begin crucifying him for cryin out loud. Hell, how would you feel if you lost your brother, best friend, and girlfriend all in a few years span ??? I’d probably stay drunk too !!!By Joe
May 9, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
I agree with Homer. How does his best friend, brother and girlfriend all dying count against him?By bill
May 9, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
This guy and his criminal past fits in well with the Bengals. Sign him!By j
May 9, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
get alexander singned and you guys need to get a life just like all the x fans just because he had tuogh times dont konok the kid. personly i think that palmer’s brother might get signed on to. so why dont you just see where the cards fall go Bengals UD and OSU.By T800
May 9, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
I feel that when you write stories like this you should also try to list some positive things about the person also.By Ryan
May 9, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this
How does his girlfriend dying in a car accident have anything to do with this story? Terrible column!By John
May 9, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
This article makes me want to puke. This is like saying Michael Jordan had a troubled past because afterall his father was shot and killed by some thugs. And to throw his girlfriend dying in a car wreck into the scheme of things is ascinine. I have just lost a lot, if not all, respect for you Mr. Ludwig, the writer of this nonsense.By Ludwig is a Tard
May 9, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
Chuck, you are really reaching on this one. You should really consider a re-write or perhaps removing this article all together.By Harvey
May 9, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Let’s judge this young man on his own merit at professional level. He’s had a rough time and lost some special people to him, so give him a chance he might just fool us all and be the best of the bunch. We were all young once, give him a chance!By Jeff
May 9, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
sounds like the kid will fit in! Cops should just go ahead and put his pictures up now. Why not get a head start?By Ludwig is a Douche Bag
May 9, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
Wow! I bet the hardest thing that Chick has ever had to endore was his wife forgetting to buy decaf coffee and he had to lay awake in his bed at night. Seriously, the negative shadow is never going to leave the Bengals as long as we have negative writers. Chick how about we replace the DDN writers and get new ones? I say we cut them all and draft new ones, get some younger writers that appreciate the positive things in life. You should be a weather reporter, not a sports writer.By Ludwig is a Douche Bag
May 9, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
Wow! I bet the hardest thing that Chick has ever had to endore was his wife forgetting to buy decaf coffee and he had to lay awake in his bed at night. Seriously, the negative shadow is never going to leave the Bengals as long as we have negative writers. Chick how about we replace the DDN writers and get new ones? I say we cut them all and draft new ones, get some younger writers that appreciate the positive things in life. You should be a weather reporter, not a sports writer.By ed
May 9, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
I dont understand why the Bengals continue to search/pray for a bargain basment special. These guys continue to seduce this organization to what end? You can have your compassion for these young men (term used loosely), but they dont need to be members of your professional football team. Welcome to Cincinnati the halfway house of the NFL….geezBy NewBeatWriter
May 9, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
There once was a time where Ludwig used to care about the Bengals. Now he isn’t even a fan. Go get a new job man, we don’t need your negativity!By glenn
May 9, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
Is it me or do the Bengals not get it? I really truly believe my 7-year old son has more ability in his little finger to run this team than they do!! I mean really, what is the reason for this? If you look around the league,there are no great teams with character issues. WHY?By curt
May 9, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
Wow Chick, you took some heat for this one. I think Chick included the deaths to give the reader an idea what the young man has gone through in his life, not to imply they were his fault. Lighten up readers, considering the Bengals’ poor choices in the past, they don’t deserve a lot of slack.By Evan
May 9, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
Let’s not all rail on Chick here—he is simply restating what others have said about the kid and his surroundings. In this day and age, all that stuff, unfortunately, is taken into consideration when millions could be at stake for an owner. The DUI and the fights do make me a little concerned, but I’m not sure that happens without all the tragedies this kid went through. I say give him a chance, but one slip up and he’s gone.By Evan
May 9, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
Let’s not all rail on Chick here—he is simply restating what others have said about the kid and his surroundings. In this day and age, all that stuff, unfortunately, is taken into consideration when millions could be at stake for an owner. The DUI and the fights do make me a little concerned, but I’m not sure that happens without all the tragedies this kid went through. I say give him a chance, but one slip up and he’s gone.By Get A grip dick I mean Chick
May 9, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this
This article is a waste of time, there is 5 or more guys like him on every NFL team, the deaths and shootings are not his fault get a grip chick you need to start driving to Cleveland us bengal fans are sick of your negativityBy Get A grip dick I mean Chick
May 9, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this
This article is a waste of time, there is 5 or more guys like him on every NFL team, the deaths and shootings are not his fault get a grip chick you need to start driving to Cleveland us bengal fans are sick of your negativityBy d-town
May 9, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this
Chick, you sure you’re not a Browns fan, you trash the Bengals every chance you get. Until Mike Brown is out, this will be a never ending story.By RAJ
May 9, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this
I agree with a lot of other people questioning how all of the deaths this young man has endured make him “Henry-like.” I can understand the assault and resisting arrest but how do the deaths make him like Henry? What a horrible article. You should be ashamed of yourself. Give the young man a chance to fly or fail.By Votes are in...
May 9, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this
Chick, the votes are in… (out of 21 comments thus far) AGAINST - 14 (66.7%) For - 6 (28.6%) Neutral - 1 (4.8%) Continue this kind of biased writing and you’ll be impeached by the people (Bengals’ fans) sooner rather than later…By pervin
May 9, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this
The kid doesn’t seem too smart when he says “If he’s first round, what am I?” Figure it out punk … you are a free agent and worse yet a Cincinnati Bungle…you were passed over through 250+ picks. Now keep your nose clean and learn to beat a few other corners in “The League” But most importantly get rid of the Chad-like tude. You do all that you might last a few years, especially on a team hurtin for receivers.By DDN is crap
May 9, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
I’d like to see the DDN actually report real news like how they have left all of their employee records and SSN numbers in their old building for the public to pick through. DDN sucks. Chick, be a real reporter and call the people in Lincoln and get the facts on this kid. The bouncer pushed him, he defended himself and the CHICK stepped in the middle…she was hammered and arrested too. The DUI is crap too. Since when is being suspected of DUI actually a DUI. 2 beers and a drive home from DDN will get you pinched too CHICK. 53 in a 40 won’t even get you pulled over in Centerville. Purify has great hands and made a few first and second round picks look stupid. The Bengals got a steal.By Jim
May 10, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this
Like your balanced attitude on this. I can only imagine how I would have played up had I lost my best friend, brother, and girlfriend in such circumstances. If he keeps his head on straight this kid deserves the chance. Kudos to the Bengals for giving him that chance in the face of constant critisism.By Rick
May 10, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
Usually your aticles are pretty good. This is not the case here. Best friend, brother and girl friend getting killed has nothing to do with his character. Your looking like a typical “stretch the facts” journalist and you should be better than that.By Rick
May 10, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
Usually your aticles are pretty good. This is not the case here. Best friend, brother and girl friend getting killed has nothing to do with his character. Your looking like a typical “stretch the facts” journalist and you should be better than that.By Davius
May 10, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this
Sounds like the kid has had some bad luck. The deaths had nothing to do with the kids police blotter and should have been left out. the reason the Bengals are drawn to these guys is because they are TALENTED. Why is it if the Patiots or the Giants take one of these guys(Mario Manningham) they are Geniuses. If the Bengals take one of them they are Harboring CRIMINALS. Quite a Double standard, wouldn’t you say?By Paddy
May 10, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
Far removed (Tallahassee, Fl) but still a Bengals fan. Does not anyone in that organization talk to each other or compare notes of the past. This is so, so wrong. Everyone just mocks us and we do not have a leg to stand on. Solution: hire David Pollack and let him be responsible for backround of new players. You can’t go wrong with a stand up guy like David. Just do something smart once-in-a-while. give us some hope. I would like to wear my Bengals ball cap again and not be ashamed in public.By Paddy
May 10, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
Far removed (Tallahassee, Fl) but still a Bengals fan. Does not anyone in that organization talk to each other or compare notes of the past. This is so, so wrong. Everyone just mocks us and we do not have a leg to stand on. Solution: hire David Pollack and let him be responsible for backround of new players. You can’t go wrong with a stand up guy like David. Just do something smart once-in-a-while. give us some hope. I would like to wear my Bengals ball cap again and not be ashamed in public.By null Jimmy
May 10, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
Just another gang- banger with speed.By Gary
May 10, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
This guy deserves a chance to turn his life around. His friend getting shot and his sister getting killed in a car crash doesn’t doesn’t pertain to his off field activites.By Vivster
May 10, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
Chick Ludwig, you are a bitter man. Redeem yourself with a follow up article delving deeper into Purify. I’m more concerned with the draftee from Fresno State.By ShockMonkey
May 10, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this
Jeez, take a chill pill ya all. Chick’s merely reporting the story of a recent signing who has some bad mojo. Some were his fault, some weren’t. Let’s hope he puts the worst of his life behind him and moves forward in positive ways. Both personally and professionally.By Ridnaway
May 10, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
I’m with Chick on this. Bad seeds grow up to be bad trees. Why is a college kid, under 21 going into bars anyway? I don’t give two hoots about his friends and family deaths, that is irrelevant. But assault, resisting arrest, a DUI, etc. over a 2 year period? C’mon the Bengals haven’t learned a thing!By Derrick
May 10, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
Many good comments already. I am not happy the Bengals took another player with a crimminal record. They only gave public lip service to correcting their bad choices of players with character issues. I am not so lenient as some others on here. I say that when you hang with certain types of people in certain kinds of situations, you are more likely to find yourself in the middle of stuff. And yes, the girlfriend may have not been as innocent (types and situations)as a fatal traffic accident might imply - just sayin’By knowledge
May 11, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
I think before you get too carried away you need to look where this guy has come from. As a former humboldt county resident myself, I can tell you that this kid’s from one of the most drugged out, depressed places in california. for him to venture down to the bay area, go to CCSF and earn a ride to nebraska was a feat in itself. I can name plenty of players in the nfl right now who are getting DUI’s, beating their wives, doing drugs, etc. Maurice Purify got a DUI and an assault charge within 5 weeks at probably the worst possible time, but I’m not convinced he is another Chris Henry. He was a young guy from a small town who made a couple drunken mistakes. The other hardships that he has suffered through definitely don’t say anything negative about him as a person. If anything, it should make us pull for him even more. To be honest though, you should leave those things alone because it really is none of your business. I know it makes for a good story but it’s wrong if you are twisting it to make it look like the deaths of people close to him are a negative reflection on his character. I hope he has a long career in the nfl and uses this garbage article as motivation.By TONYMACC
June 2, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
I AM LIL MO’S BROTHER AND I ‘D LIKE TO SAY TO CHICK.. THANK YOU 4 OPENING UP MY BROTHERS CASKET AND SPITTING IN IT THANKS…