67 days after the Punch Heard Round the College Football World and a “season-long” suspension, and a little over a month after word first broke that he could return this year, LeGarrette Blount‘s situation has come full circle.
According to head coach Chip Kelly, the running back has been reinstated to the program and will be eligible to suit up for Oregon’s game this weekend.
Kelly sent athletic director Mike Bellotti a formal request for reinstatement Sunday night, who then forwarded it to Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott and the university’s president. Scott signed off on the reinstatement, opening the door for Blount’s return.
“After a thorough review of the situation, I am convinced LeGarrette Blount paid a significant and appropriate price for the mistakes he made on the field, and that he has learned important life-long lessons,” Scott said in a statement.
In all, Blount has missed eight games because of the punch and subsequent meltdown. But now, the senior is grateful for the opportunity to redeem himself and put behind him one of the most explosive incidents in the annals of college football.
“I’m grateful to coach Kelly that he cares enough to offer me this second chance,” Blount said in a statement. “Now it is up to me to prove to people that their lasting impressions of me are not what they saw in Boise.
“When I am ready to address this further with the public and the media, I will do so. Until that time, I feel my actions can speak louder than anything I could say. I just want to help my teammates who have been supportive of me.”
Now what will be interesting is how Blount fits into what the Ducks have built since his suspension.
Blount was Oregon’s second-leading rusher in 2008, but has been seamlessly replaced by LaMichael James. All the freshman has done is rush for 1,021 yards and eight touchdowns in the eight games since Blount’s suspension.
Where Blount will fit in now is anyone’s guess, but there’s no doubt that Blount’s talent could hand Kelly a devastating one-two backfield punch, so to speak.
I hope he learnt his lesson, next time just go for the eyes.
I remember he was suspended all year. I quess the Pac-10 doesn’t make people to pay. Oregon is in first and the are going to reinstate this guy now. Shame Shame Shame on the Pac-10 i thought for the season means for the season.
Oregon is so transparent… will do anything to win a trip to Pasadena… I hope you have another loss…
Hope you guys do well in the Holiday Bowl, a second class team going to second class bowl!
Is Phil fearing Arizona and Oregon State ?
I’m happy that he is back.
The way Oregon has been running that offense with James at TB I’d rather have the boxer in the backfield.
For crying out loud…some of you act as though this kid was not punished! He will have missed 8 out of 12 games, 2/3 of the season. All punishment should fit the crime, and players from other conferences with drug offenses, DUI’s, gun offenses, sexual assaults….have served 0 or 1 game suspensions. Give me a break. OXBOW, the pac 10 did not suspend the kid, the school did. Guess you have never made a mistake, and that you think people should never revisit a situation once they have spoken out once. GLA..if this were about football, the kid would have been reinstated before the Stanford game, an opponent much tougher than AZ State. You are the transparent one.
Boy, everyone is so quick to jump all over the ducks for bringing blount back. He paid his price and it was steep. Let his actions speak now, he is on a very short leash.
If the Ducks were so concerned about going to the Rose Bowl they would have brought him back alot sooner.
Don’t forget that Boise’s player is the one that got into Blount’s face. Let’s also not forget about what florida’s recent player “Eye Incident” That could have ended a players career. And what about Syracuse who suspended three players who where all stars and brought them back. Nuf said.
Shame on the PAC 10 commissioner for not standing behind the suspension. Instead, he says OK… we’ll just let you play before you’re suspension is up. Think maybe this has something to do with winning the post season for the PAC 10 and the university? Its no longer about the player now… its more about the post season bowl game and the conference. Shame on the PAC 10 for not upholding their own decision.