In the aftermath of The Punch Heard ‘Round The World, Oregon took the steps necessary to begin repairing their image nationally by suspending LeGarrette Blount for the balance of the 2009 season.
Blount, on the other hand, has begun the process of repairing his image personally.
In an excellent piece by the Eugene Register-Guard‘s George Schroeder, head coach Chip Kelly revealed that, on Friday afternoon, Blount approached him and said that he wanted to call Boise State to apologize for his action’s Thursday night.
So on Saturday, Blount went into Kelly’s office and called the school. The running back apologized directly to both Broncos head coach Chris Petersen and to the player on the receiving end of the punch that earned him the year-long suspension, Byron Hout.
Additionally, Kelly told the Register-Guard that Blount spoke to former NFL head coach Jon Gruden, a long-time friend of Kelly’s. Gruden advised Blount on “how to move on — and in light of his new reality, how to rehabilitate himself in the eyes of potential future employers.”
(There was no word on what was discussed between the two, but is there any doubt that the first words out of Gruden’s mouth were “What the f–k were you thinking, kid?”)
There’s no question that Blount was in the wrong in the immediate aftermath of the blue-turf havoc he created. However, he’s said and done all the right things since, and for that he should get a begrudging golf clap.
Of course, these aren’t completely altruistic actions as Blount has a few million dollars riding on the rehabilitation of his image between now and next April.
So Blount has a home in the NFL after all…
Tony Dungy has a new prospect. Have to count out Merriman since he doesn’t fit Dungy’s idea of someone he wants to help.
Well, well, well: Mr, Blount is showing some signs of character and remorse. The deed is done, sentence passed and final words said to the victims. Let’s hope a deep and valuable life lesson is learned, above and beyond physical violence. No doubt this young mans’ life could be one worthy of the opportunities he’s been given.
This will not hurt Blount very much at all as long as he stays in shape. If he was forecast as a second rounder, there is no way any smart GM lets him fall much past the early third round – especially with 300 less carries on his tires.
Let’s all hope Mr. Hout has learned his lesson as well.
Forty-eight minutes of trash talk should have been enough time to get a point across. Mr. Hout chose to cross the line and paid the price. Regardless whether it was a post game comment, he made a point to seek out and rub a duck’s nose in horse crap. While I don’t condone Blount’s action, if someone chose to play the same game Hout did emotions can sometimes get the best of us.
For all of you thinking otherwise, have you ever been confronted with a driver that pushes your buttons? What were your thoughts? Aren’t you glad you were in your car?
Mr. Blount, unfortunately wasn’t provided the luxury of being in his car.
Although he made an incredibly dumb mistake, he has ”manned” up and taken the necessary steps to move on.
But John Gruden as the person to give advice?
Shawn Merriman, LeGarrette Blount, …… who’s the third? Anyone seen Chris Henry today?
If Michael Vick can play in the NFL after what he did, then there will be no problem for Blount if he does the right things between now and next season.
I don’t give a crap what Blount said before the game.
You come tap me on shoulder and get in my face after a loss like that and talk shit right to my face or anyone else raised in a F’d up environment you are gonna get punched in the face punk.
When are you white people going to stop pretending
everything is now equal.
Stop being so damn ignorant about what it is really like to grow up a poor black man in the U.S. in the south !
Get in any mans face where I come from and you will get a big black fist in your face too.
Stupid MF’S.
Know what’s up before you challenge someone.
Florio, ever since you went big time your site has sucked even more.
Hope you can feed your kids now.
ebapen – sounds like your life has no gravity in it – it sux so bad being you that you’re forced to hoover yourself to the earth or you’d float off into space.
The gridiron is not the hood – it does sound like you MyDawg are hoods though.
Only a couple of ID-10-t’s would come up with positions condoning Blount’s actions regardless of what Hout said to him.
Regarding your Florio comment – you are free to stop reading and especially posting to this forum any time – especially when you bring your comments from the DUMBA$$ position.
I agree that it shouldn’t be such a surprise that Blount reacted the way he did to being poked with a stick, and roll my eyes at this being called a “sucker punch”, but that doesn’t change the consequences for the action. There’s no “grew up in the hood” pass that gets you out of your actions, nor should there be.
On second thought you are right rolltide.
I apologize for my offensive tirade.
This is a touchy subject for me.
pier88 my life is just fine at present.
It’s my past that wasn’t fine.
If my comments offended anyone I apologize
for that.
I like PFT just fine although it was better before
NBC.
Hope this post makes up for my previous
ones.