LeGarrette Blount Suspended After Sucker Punch to Byron Hout's Jaw (Video Overkill)

You can watch the LeGarette Blount sucker punch video over and over and nowhere in it will you see justification for the punch the Oregon tailback threw that staggered Boise State defensive linebacker Byron Hout and got Blount suspended. Of course, if you watch ESPN, they have used every excuse they could find to replay the Blount sucker punch video. Be that as it may, Byron Hout's running past LeGarrette Blount and smacking him on the front of his shoulder pads and saying something did not in any way justify Blount turning and punching Hout, even as Hout was turning away from Blount, smiling. That smile wasn't there long. Some call that a sucker punch, video or no video. Strike that: everybody calls what LaGarette Blount did to Byron Hout a sucker punch, video or no video.

Not only was the embarrassing loss not so pleasant for Oregon, coming as it did after LeGarette Blount stated that Boise State was "owed an ass-whuppin'" going into the game, but the ignominious ending to the night could not have set too well with team members and fans alike. The #16 Oregon Ducks only generated a little over a hundred total yards against the Boise State defense, losing 19 - 8. Boise State even dropped him once in his own end zone for a safety. LeGarrette Blount did so well Thursday night, he was looking forward to 0 yardage by game's end, finishing the game at -5 rushing yards after 8 carries.

But some don't know when to let it go...

After LeGarrette Blount sucker punched Byron Hout (and was captured on video for posterity), he turned on his own teammates. When they tried to restrain him, Blount shrugged them off and shoved them, punching Garrett Embry. He got into it with some fans who were taunting him. And when receiving coach Scott Frost and a Boise policeman tried to direct him back toward the locker rooms, he was quite confrontational with them as well. He was bellicose with the Boise Police officer that many feared he would face some type of charge for his actions (but the Boise Police issued a statement saying that there was nothing to those rumors).

In fact, it was the LeGarrette Blount's over-reactive ending to the night's poorly played game that got him suspended. Well, that and the video evidence. And not just for a game or two, as many believed would happen. LeGarrette Blount has been suspended for the rest of the season. Oregon coach Chip Kelly took a hardline stance and suspended the senior for the duration of the football season, bowl games included. According to The Oregonian, Blount is at Oregon on scholarship and will be allowed to continue going to school and to use the team's facilities, and practice with the team, and -- Basically, he's still on the team. He just won't be allowed to play in any of the games.

Pac-10 Commissioner Larry Scott said that he had reviewed the case, seen LeGarette Blount's unfortunate video, and agreed with Kelly's "disciplinary actions."

LeGarrette Blount's career at Oregon is over. He finishes his career with 997 yards (including the -5 against Boise State). He was being talked up by some as a contender for the Heisman Trophy as well.

But hitting another player is uncalled for, no matter if one is being taunted or not. Bad game, good game, it is still a game. Losing is part of it. Unfortunately for LeGarrette Blount, he lost a lot more than just a game Thursday night...

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LeGarrette Blount sucker punch video.

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Sources:

ESPN Television
YouTube.com
The Oregonian
Seattlepi.com