Pac-10 commish has his first controversy

That wasn't a sucker punch, Hout openly got in Blount's face and then hit him in the shoulder. What did Hout expect was going to happen when he got in the face of a hyper-competitive, Type A athlete? Blount was walking away to the sideline until he was provoked; Hout deserved to be punched for instigating the event.

He shouldn't get involved and let Oregon handle the punishment which should include being kicked off the team. They dude definitely had post game rage.

He not only sucker punched that guy, he tried to start altercations with fans and his own team mates.

He needs to be kicked off the football team, but he should be allowed to remain in school and finish his degree.

"Deserved to be punched?" Come on, now. It was a clear sucker punch to the jaw. It was disgraceful and Blount needs to pay the price for his overagression. No way was his response reasonable.

"Blount was walking away to the sideline until he was provoked; Hout deserved to be punched for instigating the event"

WOW, let me guess, you've been to jail 2-3 times in your life, you have 1-2 fire arms, and probably kicked out of school (if you went to school).

Well, if racial slurs were used against Blount (as internet reports indicate), then Blount's behavior may be excused. Or maybe have Blount run 20 laps and do 100 push-ups. Top it off with a first-half suspension against Purdue on September 12. That should be more than enough punishment. After all, football players are taught to be agressive.

Anon @ 10:13 - just dumb

Kick that idiot off the team, now.

Hout's taunts were in fun and in no way threatening.

Blount's response was out of line and cheap. Blount talked lots of trash before the game, played poorly, and took his frustrations out on the first guy to call him on it.

I hope Blount is kicked off the Oregon team, but I imagine the university will just give him a slap on the hand.

This is the same university, remember, that allows its students to harass and threaten opposing basketball players and their families.

@10:35am

10:13am here. Actually, I graduated from UCLA and went to Boalt. What's your point? Hout deserved to be punched, and could reasonably have expected a response to his provocation action. If you watch the video, Hout's couch even tries to grab Hout and yells in his face for the action before Blount responds.

Taunting and yelling in someone's face and then slapping him in the shoulder pads after an emotional game? That doesn't warrant a response? I hope you don't have kids and treat them as snowflakes.

Both parties are at fault for escalating the situation, but Blount's response was definitely justified.

"He needs to be kicked off the football team, but he should be allowed to remain in school and finish his degree"

That may be the funniest post I have ever read on this blog! Like this guy is going to turn in his pads and go back to the Physics lab - LMAO!

Oregon lost all their integrity when they let Phil Knight buy their football program. The Pac 10 has to force UO to take back control of their program.

Trojan Al go back to Figueroa Tech where the 'race card' plays better. What is the difference if racial slurs were used or not? Does that justify a sucker punch and going wild after the game? That is the problem with the "race" card: It is used to explain away, justify and rationalize bad behavior. Legally, words alone are never enough to justify physical violence. I can call you a Trojan Sucking Pig, but that doesn't give you a defense for an assault. Even the tap to the shoulder fails as justification. Laps or push-ups? Are you for real? Taught to be aggressive? --- "Yeah, and dats why I slapped da beyotch arounds when I gets mad."

You went to Boalt and you think words and a 'tap' on the shoulder are enough provacation for Blount to have responded with the aggression that he displayed? Oh, apparently, you are a defense attorney. That explains it! "Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury: The 'alleged' victim tapped my client. He TAPPED my client on the shoulder . . . I mean, he TAPPED HIM ON THE SHOULDER. It was an outrage, so he cold cocked him and dropped him to his knees, then he went after fans and his own teammate and had to be restrained. Clearly he was justified! Can you blame him? He was TAPPED on the shoulder."

Here's a homework lesson for you UB.

Look up the legal definition for "fighting words" and "battery" and there is your reasoning. I hope you're not a lawyer, because your analysis is poor.

No need for the lesson Anon, this is not a 'fighting words' situation. This is a athelete out of control. If you think the threshhold for the fighting words doctrine are applicable here, you may as well just send your Boalt Hall diploma back for recycling. This is not a First Amendment case. What are you talking about? Were you asleep during Constitutional Law? Talk about poor analysis, look in the mirror, Bud.

Nowhere did I mention anything about the First Amendment. Fighting words may be used to "incite an immediate response". Although words by themselves may not be justified to provoke a response, in combination with slapping another player in the shoulder, it can be reasonably assumed that someone in the place of Blount would respond in the manner he did, especially after an emotionally charged game.

Again, your analysis is poor. B- for effort.

Hmm.... apparently Anon was sleeping in torts, too. More importantly, my guess Anon has never played organized sports because if he/she had, he/she would know that Blount's reaction was wholly unacceptable and a clear example of unsportsmanlike conduct.

Apparently Trojan Al subscribes to Cheatey Peatey's "Boys Will Be Boys" philosophy. Take it back across town. As a season ticket holder, I dont pay to be embarassed by classless actions of my football players. If something like that happened on our team, I would be all for a year long suspension. I will accept nothing less than UCLA football being a classy program.

@1:07

So if someone yelled in your face, and then slapped you in the shoulder, and while you're highly emotional, you wouldn't respond in any fashion? Somehow I highly doubt your self-proclaimed righteous behavior would actually hold in the face of actual events. And if they did, I wouldn't be surprised if you got picked on a lot growing up.

It baffles me how people (mostly white) are so appauled when a african american athlete punches anyone (especially a white athlete) It's ok when it's hockey and all the participants are white? You pay good money to see them fight, and are upset when there isn't one. How in the heck can you train these athletes to be so fired up and full of aggression and then expect them to act like perfect gentlemen 5 seconds after the most embarrasing loss of their career? I am not making ecxuses for him nor do I agree with what he did. But am I shocked and appauled? Heck no! But Hout should have expected some retaliation, to antagonize blount at that point showed very poor sportmanship and when you make poor judgments you get whatever comes your way!

I find it interesting that some of the most moronic comments made on this site are by those identified as 'Anonymous.' All it takes is a few more keystrokes to create a nom-de-comment.

It's one thing having take fellow Bruins to task over some bizarre comments, it's quite another to have to deal with cowards taking up space on a Bruin chat, refusing to identify themselves!

Back to the issue, the Oregon player displayed no self-control, apperntly has demonstrated this in practice among team mates.

Many programs would look the other way, I hope that UCLA would do the right thing and deal with the core issue of this young man's immaturity by more than just a casual supension.

Blount is suspended for the year per Portland radio.

@ Boston Bruin

I'm assuming that is your real name? What is your social security number? How about your home address? Obviously you haven't provided any, so by your line of reasoning you must be a "coward" relying on some anonymity. Trying to attack the messenger versus the content of the message is incredibly foolish and short-sighted.

At no point have you made any attempt to argue the merits of "Anonymous" arguments, but rather resort to attacks because some have chosen not to register.

I find it embarassing that you call yourself a Bruin without making any substantive comments and instead use this space to call others "cowardly" because they haven't given their DNA and identified themselves with absolute certainty.

10:13:

"Taunting and yelling in someone's face and then slapping him in the shoulder pads after an emotional game? That doesn't warrant a response?"

NO, not for civilized people. 2 wrongs don't make a right. I do believe that people have the right to defend themselves with violence (self-defense, protecting your property); but this was not the case.

"I hope you don't have kids and treat them as snowflakes."

I don't have kids. I guess you teach your kids to punch any kid that insults them. good role model!!

"Blount's response was definitely justified."

It was NOT justified. Stop defending stupid actions. I bet you also fault women for getting rape (maybe the skirt was too small...right?).

Big D, agree with all your points!! Thank you!! Finally somebody that gets it. I to was definitely appauled! Coaches train these players to be aggressive, not pansies or hairdressers. Yet, there is outrage when someone throws a punch after a racial slur. Go figure. The people who are angry would never make it in the marines.

@1:25

Many people may react in the same way, but that is not the argument ( I may react in the same way in that situation).

We are arguing if it is "acceptable" or not. If his actions are "acceptable" then there should be none or minimal consequences. If his actions are not acceptable, then there should be higher consequences.

Its quite obvious some of you TOOLS (anon) have never set foot on a football field or played the game in your life. Smack and taunting occurs on just about every down on the field. If every player reacted the way this looser did it would be sheer mayhem out there. Anyone who excuses his actions must have grown up in the same fatherless household Blount did. This kid is a screw up and now he pays the price

EUGENE, Ore - University of Oregon Head Football Coach Chip Kelly has announced that senior running back LeGarrette Blount will be suspended from the Ducks’ football program for the remainder of the season following his involvement in a post-game incident after Thursday night’s 19-8 loss at Boise State.

Here is the link:
http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=3383&SPID=233&ATCLID=204787746&DB_OEM_ID=500

TruBruin, you're looking like the TOOL here...smack talk & taunting may occur on just about every down on the field but last night's incident occurred AFTER The game.

If the winners taunted & gloated after every victory like that classless BSU player, then, yes, it would be sheer mayhem out there.

Hout deserved to be punched just for being a white guy wearing a headband in 2009. I think we can all at least agree on that. :)

@BoelterBru

Hahahaha. Absolutely agreed.

Mr. "Boalt Hall Anon" - - -

I mentioned the First Amendment because that is where the doctrine of 'fighting words' originated (in case law). It developed as a concept to prohibit speech that was so vile or outrageous so as to incite immediate violent response. What the hell did they teach you at "Boalt Hall?" Pfffff.

What, did you do too much "doobie" during your first year?

Hey TOOl, I guess Oregon, his own team, does not subscribe to your weak argument, thats why his season is over. Blount was by far the most vocal smack talker ever since BSU wacked them in Oregon last year.
That is common knowledge and if you are gonna run your mouth you better thicken your skin. Has anyone on this blog ever presented a weaker argument than the nameless anon.

UB, you must have gone to the University of Phoenix Law School, because you really don't know how to construct a legal argument. The Doctrine of Fighting Words may be applicable to the First Amendment, but that doesn't change the fact that the taunts by Hout constituted "fighting words" (i.e. used to incite an immediate response). Try to keep up next time.

TruBruin:

Not only are his arguments weak, he can't even keep his legal concepts straight.

Applicable to the First Amendment? Applicable to the First Amendment? Geez, that is where it ORIGINATED AND WHERE IT STILL RESTS!

Case Closed:

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindducksbeat/2009/09/oregons_legarrette_blount_susp.html

Yep, as I predicted, we have the same regulars on their soapboxes with holier-than-thou e-pride.

You're a moron! Are those fighting words? I used them to " . . .incite an immediate response." Can you now punch me out, d!psh!t?

Stop now, Anon, before you completely embarrass yourself.

This is a clear example of why both teams should be separated before and after the games.The captains meet for the coin toss and the coaches meet after the game. That should be enough. Boise State should punish its player also.

The only person who should be embarassed is UB and his family. I can now see where VB gets his temperament comes from.

And see 12:37pm for proper reasoning, something that is obviousl eluding you.

TruBruin, I think it's pretty obvious that you never played the game.

What a truly sad and disgraceful situation for all. Blount is lucky he is not facing criminal assault charges. It wouldn't be a tough case to prove. How ironic that most of ESPN's pre-game coverage was spent debating the appropriateness of pre-game and post-game handshakes.

Here's my take on the situation in chronological order:

1.) Why did Byron Hout even have his helmet off? In volatile games like these, both staffs should have known better. I just drove by a HS FB team bus and they had their helmets on, while still on the bus.

2.) Byron Hout exhibited poor and unsportsmanlike conduct. He should also be suspended for at least 1 half.

3.) Blount had no business doing what he did. He embarrassed himself, his team, his school, and the Pac-10. Even more troublesome was his conduct after trying to be restrained by coaches and police. He should have exhibited some humility and taken his beating like a man, being that he couldn't let his play to the talking on the field.

4.) I don't think the punch was as severe as it looked. I think Hout did a bit of flopping.

5.) I don't believe Blount's apology was sincere or remorseful. He sounded more like he just wanted to say the right thing, rather than being honestly regretful for his actions.

6.) I don't believe Chris Peterson when he says he didn't hear what his player said. That is SUCH a CROCK. If you review the tape, he was 2 feet away from Hout and was trying to restrain him when it happened. Peterson should likewise send a message to his player by disciplining him and I don't mean 100 up downs. He should at least be suspended for 1/2 to 1 game. Hout's team had won the game. He needed to shut up and go to the locker room.

7.) I respect and applaud Chip Kelly for his swift and decisive action. He did the right thing. He sent a MESSAGE. If this was SUC, Chetey Petey would have said something like, "We are reviewing all the facts and will conduct a thorough investigation. We will take the appropriate action after the investigation is complete." He then would have made some joke during a team meeting about Police being there to interrogate and arrest Blount for abusing the opposition and thrown some handcuffs at him. Then he would have said, "Gotcha." Maybe Hout would have done some up downs after the team meeting and after 2-3 weeks of no action, Petey would have suspended him for 1/2 of a meaningless game against an over matched opponent, maybe WSU. I mean what do expect from a University that doesn't even suspend a player for breaking his own teammates jaw over a hotly contested game of.... Playstation?

In closing, a lot of sissyfoots come on here and criticize me for being too tough on a kid when he screws up on something like his SAT score or something else, like underage drinking and driving or being in a car with drunken friends. Well, take this Blount kid as a lesson. This is what happens when kids aren't raised right and their shortcomings are trivialized. They get the wrong message and the wrong message is when you F up, it's okay. Hey, it's okay you didn't prioritize and study for your SAT to get the right score. You'll get it right next time. Hey, it's ok your grabbed that girl when she told you not to. Just don't do it again or get caught again. Hey, you know you shouldn't be drinking. I know everybody does it, just don't get caught.

When kids mess up early, a message needs to be sent before it is too late. Now this kid Blount has cost himself his college career and a first day NFL draft pick. That memory of him punching that kid on national TV will leave a long stain on his resume. One not easily recoverable, especially somebody who has severe emotional issues like Blount. A video tells a lot.

Look at Jaron Rush. He could have been a STAR. Maybe if somebody would have told him, "No, son, you can't take that money from your Coach, it's not right." Maybe if Steve Lavin would have said, "Hey son, you need to focus on your classes. Hey son, you have a drinking problem. Take care of these things, or I won't play you." Maybe, maybe he wouldn't be a tainted washed up drunk now.

BruinFaithful is a putz.

will the Commiss allow Blount to participate for the rest of the season as the Duck mascot? There is a proud heritage of the mascot throwing punches

Blount got what he deserved but so did that idiot at BSU. He should get suspended for one game for provoking all that.

Anon is a Con.

Anon must have heard me yell QUEEN, because he came runnin, high heels and all.