When LeGarrette Blount Punched Byron Hout, He Threw Away His Chance at the Heisman Trophy
LeGarrette Punch: Should He Be Suspended? What About the Heisman Trophy?
Definitely not Heisman Trophy performance standards...
It did not get any better. The much replayed video would show the Oregon Ducks tailback being restrained by coaches and players and guided from the field. He traded insults and taunts with Boise State fans. He was argumentative with a Boise Police officer who was simply attempting to restrain him, leading some to speculate that, before it was all over with, Blount might actually be charged for some infraction (but Boise Police maintain he will not be because nothing untoward happened) .
All things being equal, Blount should be charged. Charged with assault, that is. But not against the police officer. A post-game cheap shot at another player (Byron Hout) is not part of the game. It is brawling. It is an assault.
The Heisman Trophy contender apologized later at a press conference. He apologized to Hout, the Boise State fans, and said he would accept whatever punishment that was coming to him.
According to Vic Winnek at AllExperts.com, a referee with 22 years experience, fighting is prohibited by the NCAA rulebook. A player that fights during the second half of a football game is to be suspended for the remainder of the game and the first half of the subsequently scheduled game.
But LaGarette Blount didn't throw his punch during the second half. He threw it after the game ended. So what is the NCAA to do?
For the punch thrown, throw the rule book at him. LaGarette Blount should be suspended from playing at least the first half of Oregon's next game. For his unruly and unsportsmanlike behavior, he should be suspended at least the second half of Oregon's next game, dependant, of course, on how the rule book covers such things.
Oregon coach Chip Kelly said he did not see the incident, but would review the video before making a decision.
Kelly should suspend Blount at least an entire game in addition to whatever the NCAA rules dictate.
Some might find a two-game suspension harsh, especially considering that LeGarrette Blount is a Heisman Trophy contender.
But not after the Boise State game. LeGarrette Blount's overall poor performance against Boise State (8 rushes, -5 yards, dropped in the backfield for a safety) is not an insurmountable obstacle in the chase for the Heisman, coming as it does at the beginning of the season, but it would be difficult. After the cheap shot punch he threw at Byron Hout, it is unlikely Blount would get the votes anyhow.
A suspension of a half game or more would all but destroy any chance that LaGarette Blount would have at winning the Heisman Trophy.
But the NCAA and Oregon coach Chip Kelly cannot allow behavior such as this to go without some kind of repercussion. To allow Blount to walk away from what amounts to initiating a fight, then having to be restrained by players, coaches, and a police officer, would only send a signal to other hotheads and prima donnas that they, too, can throw a post-game punch -- without consequences.
Actions have consequences. LeGarrette Blount's inability to outmaneuver the Boise State defense contributed to his team's loss. His ability to act irresponsibly after the game might cost him game time and his team their star rusher (which could, in turn, cost them their next game). His poor performance in the game may have already cost him the most coveted trophy in the NCAA for a college football player -- the Heisman.
And in the end, that may have been the real reason LeGarrette Blount threw that punch at Byron Hout. In total frustration at his performance. Still, that is no excuse for his total lack of control and unsportsmanlike conduct (see video). And it really doesn't matter why he threw the punch.
It only matters that he did.
Now it matters what the NCAA and what coach Chip Kelly does. It is doubtful that Byron Hout will press charges and will simply shrug off the blow as something done in frustration. Which it more than likely was. But a punch thrown in frustration or not, Blount's behavior must not be allowed to go unpunished. And Chip Kelly cannot simply shrug it off. He must show that he has some control over his players.
Otherwise, why have rules that state repeatedly that players are not to fight?
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LeGarrette Blount video of punch thrown at Byron Hout.
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Sources:
Freep.com
TheWizOfOdds.com
AllExperts.com
Published by Saul Relative
WVU graduate, with degrees in History, English, Secondary Education, Computer Programming, and Psychology (and nearly a degree in Political Science). Originally from West Virginia, with stints in Virginia,... View profile
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12 Comments
Post a CommentThis guy had no chance at a Heisman anyway all this proves is that Oregon's success has been dependant on thugs and players with character flaws. All the horrific puke yellow/green Nike jerseys in world cant cover up this fiasco. Hoepfully it's a sign of things to come for Oregon football. Go Beavs Go Dawgs Go Cougs...anyone except the ducks!
So it took until the punch to realize he had no Heisman chance? Really? I could have sworn the atrocious rushing stats sealed the deal.
contined from previous comment.(up to and including whatever words are exchanged)that is unsportsman like in conduct.Coach Petersen will be reviewing the footage and making his decision regarding Houts punishment and disciplinary measures(if any),likewise Coach Kelly will be reviewing the whole game as this allegedly started at the start with the forced handshake before the game,the NCAA will also be reviewing the footage from start to finish and making their recommendations,nice to know all that was in the article
I reviewed this footage for about three hours this morning and I agree that Blount acted poorly,however Hout did initiate the entire altercation.We all somehow have managed to forget Coach Petersen restraining Hout as he was mouthing off to Blount,the fact of the matter is that Hout started the unsportsman like conduct,but we are all crucifying Blount?And as far as the altercation with the fans go?Again,Blount over reacted,however the three fans were egging him on for a reaction.We do not know what words were thrown Blounts way from the fans.Yeah,he over reacted but he has alot of maturing to do,people make mistakes but we move on.Hout and Blount should both be punished in one way or another.This article is one sided no matter what way you cut it,and John is actually correct regarding the confrontation.Hout touched Blount,plain and simple...people are missing that fact,regardless of what Hout said,he touched Blount,you do not get to touch another player in a manner(up to and including
He would be charged with Battery rather than Assault - Assault, while a worse charge, requires the imminent fear of harm and I don't think Byron Hout had time to be scared. As such, he would be charged with battery, which requires actual contact (which clearly existed here).
One more thing, Byron Hout started talking smack to Blount before Blount hit Hout - they were not just "shaking hands" when "Hout turned away" - watch the video.
I completely agree with you, John. I forgot that Hout laid his hands on Blount first. The author (and many readers of this article) failed to realize that as well.
Ken, what you fail to recognize is the fact that I said it was 'inexcusable.' Blount was definitely wrong in his actions. But that doesn't mean it wasn't provoked. The way the author wrote this article makes Hout seem completely innocent. For example, if some guy on the street was in your face, spitting racial slurs, talking about your family, or what not, and you punched the guy, would you think the guy was completely innocent in the whole matter? Would you feel that you weren't provoked. Probably not... I'm not talking about rules of the game here. I would agree that Blount shouldn't be allowed to set foot on the field again. My point is that there are two people involved in this matter, not just Blount. Blount didn't just punch some random guy for no reason.
Actually since Hout initiated the the confrontation by physically touching Blount, BLount has the right to defend himself so if you suspend or arrest one than you really have to suspend or arrest the other. MSN ran a much more accurate and unbiased account of this altercation.
So what if anybody said anything to him? A college football player should have the maturity to check himself and not throw any punches. Blount's actions are inexcusable. When other people try to explain WHY Blount acted like that, they're missing the point. ANY kind of postgame speech between players is permitted. A punch isn't.
The author of this article clearly dismisses the fact that Hout tapped Blount and the shoulder and presumably made a sarcastic comment, thus provoking Blount to react the way he did. It's definitely inexcusable as to what Blount did, but this author is clearly one-sided.