Oregon suspends RB LeGarrette Blount for season (including bowl games)

AP on Yahoo ^ | 9/4/09 | Anne M. Peterson - ap

[NormsRevenge]

EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon suspended running back LeGarrette Blount on Friday for the remainder of season for punching Boise State defensive end Byron Hout. As Boise State began celebrating on their famous blue turf, Hout yelled in Blount's face and tapped him on the shoulder pad. Before Broncos head coach Chris Petersen could pull Hout away, Blount landed a right to Hout's jaw, knocking him to his knees.

Blount also had to be restrained by police officers from fans heckling him on the way to the locker room after No. 16 Oregon's 19-8 loss Thursday to the No. 14 Broncos.

Blount's suspension includes any bowl games. Coach Chip Kelly said Blount will remain on scholarship.

Hout will not be suspended for taunting Blount. Boise State spokesman Max Corbet told The Associated Press in an e-mail that Petersen planned to spend time with Hout this week to help him learn from what happened.

[Oshkalaboomboom]

The NFL players get paid a lot of money to take crap from the other team. Nonprofessional leagues are supposed to be about sportsmanship. They should have suspended both players. Obviously a taunting suspension shouldn’t be as harsh as an assault but he should have gotten at least a game off as a warning to others that this isn’t the pros.

[Jeff Head]

Actually it is...he’s a senior.

[dfwgator]

Come on. Blount had indicated that the Ducks were going to give the Broncos a well deserveed A** Whoopin, and he announced it to the press a few days before the game.

As Jimmy Johnson so eloquently said, "If you're gonna talk the talk, you better walk the walk!"

[NormsRevenge]

a future Raider wannabee..

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Good - the PAC-10 made the right decision. Blount will probably continue to screw up and they will eventually drop him altogether but are waiting so it isn't such a harsh blow all at once.

He's too great a liability - they can't trust that he won't do exactly the same thing again.

[Domandred]

Pretty bad when I said the same thing a few hours ago to the guys at work

[Jeff Head]

Exactly. Blount set himself up for this, and then couldn't handle it when he was beaten on the field. Bosie State shut him down...caught him once in the end zone for a safety.

He couldn't handle the fact that he was bettered on the field, and responded by sucker punching a kid when he was looking the other way...and then, had he not been restrained, would have charged into the stands and attacked fans.

The sport is better off without him.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Maybe, as part of his community service, Michael Vick could counsel him on his violent tendencies..

[rockvillem]

a future Raider wannabee..

LOL - my exact thought when I saw the headline that he'd been suspended.

[Popman]

They should have suspended both players

Give me a break, suspend for for what? Making him eat his own words.

Yes, college isn't the pros, but it isn't pee wee football either. Blout ran his mouth and didn't back it up. He was reminded of that.

I would agree the tap on the shoulder was a tad over the top, but nothing worthy of suspension

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

I have to disagree with you. Blount did a bunch of sh#t taking before the game about revenge - he played poorly so was probably mad at himself - his team members had a shoving match between several of themselves before he made his way toward the group with Hout, who he sucker punched. It didn't appear to me to be more than Hout reminding Blount about running his mouth about beating them. Certainly it was not worthy of that kind of attack.

A few years back a Texas A&M running back named Javorski Lane "guaranteed" his school that they would beat Texas Tech that year. It was well known at both schools that he had been talking like that. He went to Lubbock and lost.... I'm sure there were plenty of kids reminding him of his words as he left the stadium but to his credit he didn't go berserk and try to launch himself into the stands. I'm sure it was embarrassing to him - and admittedly I enjoyed it, but like I said - he didn't go nuts and attack anyone. Blount got what he deserved and Hout's coach was right there and knows what he said to Blount.

[Salvation]

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[Global2010]

Looking at the news clip he also took a few punches at the Duck fans who yelled a few choice words at him.
His actions...
Embarrassed me a Duck fan.

[Clinging Bitterly]

The whole thing was just too bad. Over the years I have enjoyed the developing Oregon / Boise State rivalry, including last year's game in Eugene.

Blount’s behavior Thursday night was a disappointment but not exactly a surprise. My understanding is there were foretelling events in the early practice season.

I'd be in favor of kicking him off the team entirely.

[KneelBeforeZod]

hmm. does this mean we won’t see a giant obnoxious arrogant 400000000’ tall banner for Blount?

[Michael.SF.]

Good - the PAC-10 made the right decision.

Actually the decision was made by the Head Coach, not the league.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Oh really? I understood it was a joint decision with several folks involved.

[Michael.SF.]

I understood it was a joint decision with several folks involved.

There may well have been discussions with others, but from what I have read they would have been internal at OSU and the Pac-10 was not involved.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

That night right after Blount went nuts, there was some discussion about how it would not be the decision of one man (coach) but a group that included the PAC-10, NCAA Commissioner, etc. I assumed they all had a hand in it but after I read your comment I searched and it does appear the Coach discussed it with Bellotti and they made the decision. I'm sure it was discussed with others and agreed to, but it did look better coming down from the Coach. I think it made him look like he was in charge and would not have to be overridded by others.

Thanks for the info