How should Oregon RB have been punished?

Fri Sep 4, 2009 1:53 AM EDT

Oregon suspended RB senior LeGarrette Blount for remainder of season for punching a Boise State player on the field after the game. Do you agree with the school's decision? After making your vote, back it up in the discussion below.

Results with 110 short comments
Total of 11,370 votes - click on the "Display Comments" bar below to sort comments

2.7%

Nothing; he was reacting in the heat of the moment

305 votes

5.6%

One game suspension

641 votes

20.7%

2-5 game suspension

2,359 votes

8.7%

Longer suspension

987 votes

62.3%

Ducks right to boot him off the team

7,078 votes

Display Comments:

Ducks right to boot him off the team

It took 2 officers& 2 Asst. Coaches to pull him off the field. This was completely unacceptable behavior.

7 votes

- Tim from Denver

- 2:01 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

Longer suspension

he was trash talking, so they gave it back, and he threw punches. If you talk trash, then back it up, otherwise, shut your mouth.

6 votes

- Vengeance

- 2:06 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

Ducks right to boot him off the team

He should face criminal charges... His cheap shot did not end on the field, as he was being escorted to the locker room he hit an officer

- aleigh

- 2:11 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

Ducks right to boot him off the team

Where's "Arrest the thug?"

- imajoebob

- 2:17 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

Ducks right to boot him off the team

No excuse for such behavior. He should be bounced from the team. I'm sure the NCAA will at least suspend him, perhaps for the year.

6 votes

- craigf1998-541922

- 2:19 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

2-5 game suspension

Initially thought to boot him off of the team but later found that he was goaded by Broncos DE. Still, he has history of violent acts.

- SteveOCA

- 2:22 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

2-5 game suspension

The guy needs to take an anger management class.

2 votes

- Jim A-371003

- 2:32 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

Ducks right to boot him off the team

He needs to go. Unacceptable at any level, especially college. If I were an alumni, I would certainly not want him representing my school.

- Maddie67

- 2:32 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

Ducks right to boot him off the team

Idaho prosecuted a high school student for punching a coach during a game. He should arrested and charged.

4 votes

- momofthree-457167

- 2:36 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

Ducks right to boot him off the team

The school should expell him. Don't leave it up to the coach. This is a common occurance for him.

7 votes

#10

- burley1

- 2:36 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

Longer suspension

I am an Oregon fan, am totally embarrassed. Lengthy suspension, and any other outburst of any kind...boot him off the team.

2 votes

#11

- sherry-400949

- 2:40 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

Nothing; he was reacting in the heat of the moment

I'm guessing Byron won't be so quick to be a sore winner after getting himself checked by LeGarrette. It's sports, things happen.

#12

- Chris-1311191

- 2:42 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

Ducks right to boot him off the team

Ummm. . . . He committed multiple criminal assaults. Why is jail not on the poll? A guy built like him could kill a man with a punch.

#13

- bombastulin

- 2:52 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

Nothing; he was reacting in the heat of the moment

I'm no fan of Blount but the other guy came up and taunts him and makes contact. Can't do that.

4 votes

#14

- Phil Commander

- 2:54 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

One game suspension

And suspend the guy from Boise State who taunted him.

5 votes

#15

- Cam-881346

- 3:02 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

Ducks right to boot him off the team

This is the worst display of poor sportsmanship there can be.
He's an embarassment to Oregon. Playing football is a privledge, not a right

6 votes

#16

- Porrohman

- 3:06 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

Longer suspension

He should be out for the year and on a short leash after that.

1 vote

#17

- J-978314

- 3:11 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

Ducks right to boot him off the team

He should be in Jail. Assault is a crime after all. Why do Atheletes get special treatment?

5 votes

#18

- Veteran in Seattle

- 3:17 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

2-5 game suspension

A physical assault on another player is not part of the game. It is a criminal act. Lucky for him he is not prosecuted.

2 votes

#19

- James Scaminaci III

- 3:42 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

Ducks right to boot him off the team

Nothing says boot me off the team than punching the oppisite team. So much for sportsman like behavior

3 votes

#20

- Lee Bartholomew

- 4:00 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

One game suspension

How is the any worse than Robert Reynolds of Ohio State trying to strangle the Wisconsin QB during a game? He only got 1 game.

#21

- Jamie-1311257

- 4:08 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

Ducks right to boot him off the team

It's about time society showed athletes that they aren't better than the rest of us.

3 votes

#22

- MaxCavalera

- 4:16 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

Ducks right to boot him off the team

New coach MUST make an example of this kind of horrendous behavior, lest he lose total control of the team. Humiliating for UO grads.

3 votes

#23

- IndependentTexan

- 4:30 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

Longer suspension

This is a little man who shot his mouth off in a preseason interview about Boise State, who doesn't have the talent to back up his words.

#24

- RC-Bruin

- 4:39 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

2-5 game suspension

I'm a Duck Alum. 2-5 games for Blount. 1 game for Hout for taunting.

1 vote

#25

- mentat

- 4:50 am EDT on Fri Sep 4, 2009

Jump to short comment page: 1 2 3 ... 5

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Keith Arnold

What do you think: LaGarrette Bount > Ron Artest? That was a world class meltdown, but I still don't think we can forget that Byron Hout started the meltdown with a taunting push. (Not that it let's him suckerpunch a guy, but still...)

1 vote

#1 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 2:02 AM EDT

Conk

Hout is not responsible for Blount's meltdown. Blount is responsible for Blount's meltdown.

4 votes

#1.1 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 5:26 AM EDT

interested one

In my day, if you taunted and shoved a guy on the shoulder, that was considered "calling him out" and you should be expecting a reaction. I think Hout was looking for a brawl and just got surprised by Blounts skill with his fist. Blount's actions were dispicable, but so were Houts.

1 vote

#1.2 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 11:26 AM EDT

dAt crAzy bOk

Skill with his fist? He threw a weak right, a sucker punch, and then immediately started backing up. I'm no fan of either team, but Blount is lucky that Hout was restrained afterwards. I'm thinkin Hout would kill that dude in a straight up fight, and Blount knew it too. That was a sucker punch all the way, no skill involved.

2 votes

#1.3 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 11:49 AM EDT

interested one

The term "sucker punch" implies the recipient was not expecting it. How could Hout not have been expecting a retaliation after taunting and shoving Blount? I don't condon the unsportsman-like behavior of either player, but I feel Hout is being given a pass because he was on the receiving end of the final blow.

1 vote

#1.4 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 12:18 PM EDT

dAt crAzy bOk

Shoving him? He tapped him on his shoulder. You're saying it's okay to punch someone on a football field because you were taunted or shoved? Taunting and shoving occurs at every single football game in America. Ever. It was okay to taunt and shove at midfield before the game, right? If I expected everybody I ever taunted or shoved after a football game to haul off and sock me, what kind of NCAA would this be?

People don't fly off the handle like he did after every occurence. If he would have shut up and let the officials handle it, he would have walked away looking like a poster boy, and Hout would be getting a game or two suspension, which i agree, he still deserves.

1 vote

#1.5 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 12:24 PM EDT

SteadyAsSheGoes

At this point ... nobody knows WHAT Hout said. He could have simply said "nice game" and tapped him on the shoulder. Clearly Hout didn't think he said anything to set Blount off ... just look at Hout's demeaner after the shoulder tap ... still smiling and not giving Blount a second thought. Watch Hout as he approches Blount ... he looks happy NOT out to taunt someone. I just don't see an "In your face" kind of attitude from Hout at all. Blount could have taken ANY statement as "taunting" ... but that's Blount's fault ... no one elses!

1 vote

#1.6 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 2:28 PM EDT

Skiddy

I can't believe some people actually voted nothing. Must be liberals who probably think he acted that way because of the way he was brought up, etc etc.

He should be booted off the team.

2 votes

#1.7 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 2:32 PM EDT

Brandon-801865

Jailtime, obviously.

It was an assault.

Unless he can levitate, walk on water, turn water into wine, and cure the terminally ill, he can follow the rules that the rest of us do.

3 votes

#1.8 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 3:25 PM EDT

Sean-336944

Skiddy, exactly why is this considered a matter of liberalism or conservatism?

I'm a liberal who thinks he should be kicked off the team, have his scholarship revoked, kicked out of the school, be prosecuted for assault, serve jailtime and pay for any damages to Haut if he were to press civil charges.

This has nothing to with any "ism" at all except thugism. Gee, liberals and conservatives CAN agree. Sorry to ruin your day with that.

1 vote

#1.9 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 6:16 PM EDT

TJ-781837

SteadyAsSheGoes, how can you possibly believe that Hout said "nice game" or anything of the sort? Is that why the Boise State coach, who was within earshot, grabbed his player, pulled him aside and started giving him the 3rd degree? The coach was clearly angry at Hout, and this was before any punch was thrown. Look at the tape.

#1.10 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 10:20 PM EDT

Richard the Elder

He's been warned before. Off the team and out of the NCAA forever.

5 votes

#2 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 2:05 AM EDT

colbski

I was on the sidelines, I saw it happen... It was uncalled for and unsportsmanlike

3 votes

#2.1 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 2:14 AM EDT

Two Cents Worth

The NFL lets serial dog murderers and drunk drivers back in the League so we will see if the NCAA has any more class. I agree he should be off the Team including loss of any scholarship.

5 votes

#2.2 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 6:31 AM EDT

Skiddy

Yeah, but that's a cultural thang. He can't help that's the way he's brought up, it's society's fault, not his. He should be allowed back in like the thugs(sorry, players) in the NFL and be given a million dollar contract.

1 vote

#2.3 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 2:34 PM EDT

Wally-1185501

And that's probably what will happen...Be a punk...get rewarded...Only in America......!!!!!

1 vote

#2.4 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 4:05 PM EDT

Carla from Boise

He came in saying they needed to give Boise State an "a#% whoopin." Just wish we had known that he really meant "sucker punch." Classy.

4 votes

#3 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 2:06 AM EDT

miami34

He should be done. As well as charged for battery. No class and if Oregon does not kick him off the team it says they have no respect for the law. Come on fighting your own teammates and going after fans and fighting with Police. He is a real loser.

6 votes

#4 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 2:07 AM EDT

Bill from Portland

Most definitely kick him off the team. I think I also saw him hit a cop. Off the team, anger management. This young man has major issues...

4 votes

#5 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 2:08 AM EDT

Tim from Denver

I wasn't even worried about the punch on Hout (although it was a lousy sucker punch. The guy wasn't even looking at him.) That was probably deserved. You don't start going after fans no matter what happens. He completely lost control.

3 votes

#6 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 2:09 AM EDT

Michael Kloberdance

I love my duck team, and Blount's behavior is not acceptable. A mature man would have just walked away. If I was in charge I would suspend him for at least 5 games. If he comes back he is on a very short leash, and if he acts up again he is off the team. Yes, this hurts our team, but there are plenty of younger players that willing to step up and make a name for themselves.

2 votes

#7 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 2:11 AM EDT

Brad in the Last Frontier

Clearly nothing but a thug that has no business in college athletics. Off the team and loss of scholarship (if on one). Period

6 votes

#8 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 2:15 AM EDT

MrBobT

Sucker punched an opposing player, pushed and shoved his own teamates, had to be re-strained by the police from fans. What an embarrassment for the Oregon players and their entire organization.

Already been suspended for behavioral problems once this season, no place in sports for this loser!

7 votes

#9 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 2:22 AM EDT

Shawn O'Brian

Is there any reason he should not be charged with assault? All things considered, I am shocked he was not arrested immediately following the game. FYI-I was down there, and the Oregon fans were great. From a BSU alumn, we welcome you back anytime.

3 votes

#10 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 2:33 AM EDT

Typical-1311179

It is called assault. It doesn't matter that it was after a college football game. Off the field, it is assault and the person is arrested.

1 vote

#11 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 2:33 AM EDT

scott n seattle

It's not called assault, it's called battery.

2 votes

#11.1 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 4:10 AM EDT

formerTN

This young man's poor judgrment and aggressive behavior far overshadows whatever contribution he might have made to his team. It's time for him to go and the team to move on with their regular season program. Let this be a lesson in how not to behave.

3 votes

#12 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 2:40 AM EDT

sherry-400949

Am a diehard Duck fan, and am sooo embarrassed. The taunting by the Boise state kid was bad, but the reaction was totally unacceptable. Am torn between booting him off the team, or giving him lengthy suspension with no more chances.

#13 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 2:43 AM EDT

burley1

Blundt should have kept his mouth shut earlier in the week and he wouldn't have invited the trash talk from Hout.

It was a sucker punch and I'm schocked that the BSU players that were right their were very restrained. I'm not sure that I could have been that much of a gentleman if it were my teamate that was sucker punched by a thug. My hats off to the BSU team.

The cops should have arrested that guy.

And to the fans that were on him... good on you!!!

4 votes

#14 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 2:45 AM EDT

Quacker

For what it's worth, I'm pretty sure that the "Fighting words" doctrine would rule out a charge of assault.

1 vote

#15 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 2:52 AM EDT

Conk

No, it wouldn't.

1 vote

#15.1 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 3:39 AM EDT

scott n seattle

Apparently you dropped out of first year law. Fighting words are very limited in scope and would never apply here. Taunting is common in football and should be expected. He should have been arrested for criminal battery (not assault). The average person on the street would be behind bars right now for such a disply.

3 votes

#15.2 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 4:09 AM EDT

Mike-this one's for you

There's not one of us who's never acted in the heat of the moment, and wished they didn't commit certain acts. There's not one of us who hasn't hurt another in someway - physically, emotionally, socially, financially. There's no justification for punching someone, and nether is there any justification for being upset with Blount.

#16 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 2:55 AM EDT

Conk

Blount should not be let off as easily as having people upset with him.

2 votes

#16.1 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 3:43 AM EDT

Jimmy Barnes

Is this football or professional hockey? Boot the jerk.

#17 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 3:03 AM EDT

Larry MacDonald

Blount threw a cheap shot, but what got me was how he sustained his anger being prodded off the field. He was manical. This wasn't his first episode. He needs to go permanently before someone really gets hurt.