Blount Suspended for Season, Likely Ruining NFL Chances

The University of Oregon has suspended running back LeGarrette Blount for the 2009 season as a result of the post-game punch he delivered to Boise State's Byron Hout following the Broncos' 19-8 victory Thursday night in Idaho.

After reviewing Blount's actions, the Ducks suspended the senior running back for the remainder of the season, including any bowl games. Oregon officials made the decision Friday following talks with Pacific-10 commissioner Larry Scott, who attended the game.

Oregon first-year coach Chip Kelly said Blount will continue to play a role in the school's football program and remain on scholarship throughout the remainder of the year.

---

---

Blount will also continue to have access to all of the university's support services provided to all student-athletes, will be allowed to take part in all team activities, including practice with the team, and will be held accountable to all team rules and regulations.

However, he will not be allowed to participate in any games, including a possible bowl game.

In a statement , school president Richard Lariviere called Blount's behavior "reprehensible".

"We do not and will not tolerate the actions that were taken by our player. Oregon's loyal fans expect and deserve better," Lariviere said.

Blount's punch came following a game that featured a good sportsmanship gesture before kickoff, thanks to the American Football Coaches Association's initiative that called for both teams shaking hands at midfield.

Once the game ended, Blount and Houk hooked up in a bad way when the teams walked onto the field.

Hout initiated the incident when he said something to Blount and taunted him with a push to the chest. Boise State coach Chris Petersen immediately grabbed Hout, but it only gave Blount an opening as he landed a right-hand punch to Hout's jaw, dropping him..

Earlier Friday, Petersen said Hout will be disciplined internally for his actions but will not miss any game time.

"We're not good with it," Petersen said about Hout's taunting of Blount. "It always takes two to tangle. Those are things we preach about every day around here. We just need to keep our mouths closed ... and let our play speak for itself.

"I'm sure [Blount] would give his right arm to take that whole thing back, how it looks. Byron's mistake wasn't as extreme as LeGarrette's, but he was still wrong."

What further hurt Blount's case were his actions after he connected with his punch on Hout. He had a brief scuffle with teammate Garrett Embry and then got into a shouting match with several Boise State fans standing near the field exit tunnel.

Blount then had to be forced off the field by coaches and security in order to keep him from going into the stands.

In Oregon's locker room after the game, Blount apologized.

"I just apologize to everyone that was watching this," Blount told reporters. "I just apologize to all of our fans, all of Boise's fans. I lost my head. ... A few guys wished me a good game, a few guys pushed me and I just kind of lost my temper."

Larry Scott, in his first year as Pac-10 commissioner, agreed with Oregon's decision.

"We commend the University of Oregon and its leadership for taking swift and decisive action in response to this incident," Scott said in a statement. "The Pac-10 strongly emphasizes sportsmanship and fair play in all its athletic competitions and expects high standards of sportsmanship from all participants, including student-athletes. In this case, those standards were not met and the university has taken appropriate disciplinary actions."

Blount rushed for 1,002 yards and established a school record with 17 rushing touchdowns in 2008. According to ESPN's Todd McShay, Blount's pro football stock took a major hit.

"In the matter of five minutes, Blount just went from second- or third-rounder to completely undraftable." McShay said. "Yes, he was egged on a bit by Hout, but big-name players deal with that kind of trash talk all the time without throwing punches in return.

"In an NFL climate in which Commissioner Roger Goodell has placed a huge emphasis on behavior and accountability, teams are simply not willing to invest money in players who behave like this, unless you're talking about a Michael Vick or some other player with similarly freakish talents. Blount does not have that kind of skill set and has effectively cost himself a serious shot at the NFL."

" ... He entered the season as our second-ranked senior running back behind Clemson's C.J. Spiller but has done absolutely nothing to help himself. He had a great opportunity to get to the next level, but has now totally blown it."