I haven't talked with anyone about this instance, and quite frankly I don't know why not. It should be a topic of conversation. I have no idea where any one else will fall on this issue, but I don't care if I'm in the minority. I've done some reading on Blount and on other people's take on the matter. I've looked a little into the steps to his reinstatement which could come November 7th at the earliest. He's talked with Tony Dungy, Jon Gruden, and some others. This is where I'm supposed to say he deserves what he's getting. He should be a better role model for children. He should have kept his cool. So on and so on. But honestly, who cares? I was watching live when this incident took place, and my initial reaction was "Holy shit did he really just do that?" coupled with "That just happened!"
Almost immediately, LeGarrette Blount was suspended for the rest of this (his senior) season. We're talking about a guy who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season while averaging 7.3 yards per carry and scoring 17 TDs. He had (and has) legitimate NFL aspirations. He made some comments coming into the game about how Oregon owed Boise St. a "beating." He had 8 carries for -5 yards. He looked slow and out of shape. I'm sure he was frustrated at himself for his conditioning, at his line for having nowhere to run, at his team for their performance, and just frustrated in general about the outcome. Then, out of nowhere, a real jackass shows up on the scene. Why Byron Hout felt the need to provoke Blount, touch him, or take off his helmet I will never know. Let's be honest, we've all been through the "sportsmanship" lines after games talking trash and select verbiage around with our opponents. But you can and should never touch them. I'm not talking about a handshake or pat on the back. Hout smacked him on the shoulder pad in a taunting manner, with a smile on his face, and a smart remark in his mouth. Quite frankly, I'm glad LeGarrette Blount dropped him. Should he have done it? No. Do I condone it? No. Had he just punched Hout, I honestly would have been okay with the whole thing. However, he threw that temper tantrum coming off the field and tried to get involved with the fans and whatever else.
Had Blount punched Hout during the game, he would have been ejected and suspended for one game. Everyone who has played competitive sports has been there in the heat of the moment and taken a cheap shot. In basketball, people throw elbows, pinch, and even body punches. In baseball, you slide with your spikes up or intentionally hit batters. In football, you punch, pinch, grab, kick, twist, whatever else they do in piles. Blount right-crossin Hout doesn't bother me because Hout asked for it and received it. But what was even worse than taunting Blount, Boise St. head coach Chris Peterson said that Hout would not be suspended and only "disciplined by the team." So the instigator of an NFL caliber back losing his SR season and an NFL career gets a couple extra sprints. That's like Peterson slapping Hout on the butt and sayin, "Good job son." A complete disgrace. Ben Wallace was suspended for making Ron Artest angry before he beat up 20,000 people at the Palace in Detroit. I'm glad Blount punched Hout and I wish he'd do it again.
Given the lesser suspension had this happened during the game, Hout's lack of discipline, and the "road to redemption" Blount has taken, I think he should be reinstated well before Nov. 7th. He's already missed a month and 3 games. He still practices every day with his team. He wrote an open letter published by the University of Oregon. He's accepted his punishment and his counseling. He's doing all the necessary steps to be "acceptable" in our society. That last sentence is ridiculous for me to even type because I dare say that 70% of people would have done the same thing (punch Hout, not throw a temper tantrum). Anyways, I'm ready for Blount to get back on the field and hopefully build up enough stock to get a crack at the NFL.
