Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount straight lost his mind Thursday night, sucker punching a Boise State player and requiring physical restraint to leave the stadium after the Ducks’ embarrassing 19-8 loss. Boise State’s Byron Hout appeared to tap Blount on the shoulder during postgame interactions, before turning away, only to take a Blount sucker punch to his jaw that floored him. Broncos coach Chris Petersen rushed in to separate him from further incident.
Blount then hopped away, only to get into another altercation with several Boise State fans seated near the field. At that point several people had to restrain him and forcibly drag him down the tunnel into an unknown but probably dark future. Its not unreasonable to speculate that his college career is over. Blount was particularly atrocious in Thursday’s game, netting negative five yards on eight carries including being on the wrong end of a safety.
Hout is not immune from criticism in his role in the affair, but Blount crossed a line in punching a player who had turned away from him. His inexplicable escalation after arguing with some Boise State fans while leaving the stadium only further condemns him to a severe fate.
Boise State coach Chris Petersen, who was witness to the sucker punch, was more diplomatic, telling ESPN’s Heather Cox that emotions had gotten the better of some players while turning attention to his team.
Its too bad, because, despite his bad game, Blount is a marvelous talent who would have done great things for Oregon this year. At this point he’s just as likely to face a lengthy suspension or outright booting from the Oregon football program as he is to play again this year.
Of no small irony — the American Football Coaches’ Association had recommended full-team pregame handshakes to build sportsmanship in the game during opening weekend.
(By Brian Grummell | Fanhouse)