Will Oregon Suspension Hold All Year?

Will Oregon hold suspension all year?

I was watching ESPN and saw that Oregon University has basically kicked their running back, LeGarrette Blount, from the team for the entire season. This after Blount punched a player from Boise State across the face like a vintage Mike Tyson bout.

So the question they talked about on the shows was, did he deserve to be suspended for an entire season? Let’s talk about that.

Before we do, let’s pull some facts on LeGarrette Blount:

In 2008 he was just outside the top 50 running backs in Division I, having rushed for just over 1000 yards, and 17 touchdowns. His 17 touchdowns puts him in the top 10 of all running backs last year. His 7.3 yards per carry puts him in the top 20 in that same position…in short, he was a pretty good running back.

The major problem for Blount’s suspension is that he is a senior, meaning this could very well be over for him. Now we know that the university has not taken his scholarship, but one has to wonder…what were his grades before this incident?

There are two ideas here about the incident, but before I continue, I think that maybe Boise State ought to consider some punishment for the player that instigated it. I know I wasn’t there, but I can imagine that to make Blount “snap” like that, the Boise State player had to have said something similar to what Blount was quoted to say about a certain butt kicking (in other words).

Everybody is saying that nothing could have excused Blount for what he did, and I can agree, but that does not mean that the instigator gets away scott-free. I think Boise State ought to take a look and make sure to keep their players in line too.

Now, the two ideas of thought here are these: does Blount deserve such a heavy penalty…and two, do you think Oregon will stick to it?

Both are tied together, because Oregon imposed this punishment before the Pac-10 and the NCAA stepped in…which just might have a different reason than you think.

First, did he deserve to be suspended…absolutely. Blount’s actions far exceeded the limits of fair play and good will, which was a direct slap in the face of the idea of having these athletes shake hands (and why it was never a good idea anyway).

But was the punishment TOO severe? As a senior, he does not have any other chances to show his wares, and as we mentioned earlier, his stats show that he was a pretty good running back.

I think one has to look not just at his play on the field, but what his academics looked like. If he was doing well in classes, making good grades, then there ought to be some consideration to allow him to play. Let’s not kid ourselves folks, most athletes play on college for the hopes of going to that next level…that being the NFL. Many football players put their eggs in one basket of that NFL dream, while not taking full opportunity of a college education. I don’t know what Blount’s grades were last year, and what his academic goals were, but even though he still has his scholarship, he ought to be given some haven that a person who makes a mistake can be given a second chance.

Personally, I felt that he should have been suspended at LEAST half a season, and given a chance to work back on the team if he showed that he was trying to change. I mean…he is a student. It just kinda seems too condemning to take a fellow student and give him an absolute judgment on a mistake he made. Is this the message that we want to send to our youth, that if you screw up, you are damned forever?

Again, I know what he did was very wrong, and I can’t argue too much with the suspension by Oregon U, but is it too harsh…or does it allow for a loophole?

Follow me here….

Because Oregon University itself set the punishment, it is every bit possible that Oregon University can REVERSE the punishment. I think maybe it might have been wise for Oregon to impose this punishment, and I don’t doubt that it is quite real, but if the NCAA or Pac-10 does not rule on it, then it also allows Oregon to repeal such a punishment IF…I say again..IF Blount can show some serious progress of change.

What this means is that he has to attend classes, not get in any trouble, maybe take an Anger Management Class, and off campus activities, then there is a possible loophole that Oregon could allow him back on the field. Remember, he is a senior, and has no more eligibility. Would Oregon allow him back if he did “the right things” or, if they needed him?

Oregon still has a chance to make some serious noise in the NCAA, but if things start to go downhill, would a desperate Oregon school reconsider their punishment? If the rich alumni start to put pressure on the school, would it, could it, reconsider bringing Blount back if it gives them hope?

It’s quite possible that Oregon would not consider this at all, and that would indeed be a good stand, but I wonder if they would change their minds if Oregon loses a few more games, knowing they have a pretty good running back that is no longer on the team. Consider their next few games: home vs. Purdue, Utah and California. If Oregon comes out of this 1-3, this could be a problem. If they lose to Purdue…that could be a MAJOR problem….

Would it encourage Oregon to change their minds? They won 10 games last year… they don’t need to go backwards, and we have not even talked about USC.

What it seems to come down to is the eternal fight of a university doing what may be right, against the pressures to do what is popular. A guy that fights ought to be disciplined, but if he is a key component to a team that might be able to win more games, would the university turn the other cheek and let him back in? To be sure, this is not an easy call, I would not want to end an athlete’s career, but there has to be a level of discipline for fighting. Personally I’d like to think that the university could give Blount a chance instead of making the decision so final. But maybe it isn’t final, we’d have to see how it goes.

I think if Blount does well in class, and does outside activities on and off campus, and still participates on the team practices…AND if Oregon has trouble in the first few games, I think he’ll be back. Maybe by the last 3 or 4 games, but he may be back, unless the NCAA and Pac-10 puts their stamp on his dismissal.

Just have to wait and see on this. Hate to see that with any team, and we all know football players play with high emotions, often on the edge, but with discipline there ought to be some mercy…let’s see if Oregon shows some.