Oregon coach may reinstate RB LaGarrette Blount, who punched opposing player in opener

Oregon may reinstate RB LaGarrette Blount

EUGENE, Ore. — Running back LeGarrette Blount could be reinstated to Oregon’s football team this season if he meets certain conditions, coach Chip Kelly said.

“It’s not a football decision, it’s a human being decision. It’s about that individual,” Kelly said Friday. “And he’s got a lot of things he’s got to do.”

Blount was suspended for punching Boise State’s Byron Hout in the aftermath of Oregon’s 19-8 season-opening loss to the Broncos. The suspension banned him from games, but Blount was allowed to remain on scholarship and practice with the team.

Kelly said he set down academic, behavior and football-related “ladders” that Blount must achieve for possible reinstatement, which would not come before Oregon’s Nov. 7 game against Stanford.

“There’s a distinct possibility he’ll never play football here again,” Kelly said. “But the ball is in LeGarrette’s court.”

The development was first reported by ESPN.

Kelly said he reached out to sociologist Harry Edwards and former NFL coach Tony Dungy before revising the conditions of Blount’s suspension.

The university said in a statement that athletic director Mike Bellotti and President Richard Lariviere had been involved in the process.

Blount punched Hout, dropping him to his knees, following the Ducks’ Sept. 3 game with the Broncos on national television.

Kelly suspended Blount for the rest of the season the next day. Because he is a senior, the suspension effectively ended his college career.

On Thursday, the university newspaper published a letter of apology from Blount. In it, he offered his “sincerest apologies and heartfelt regrets.”

“On a personal note, I probably will never be able to erase the memories of the post-game events of that day. Given this, I do not expect to be given a second chance to be a positive and responsible member of the football program and of this community,” Blount said in the letter to the editor. “Going forward, what I hope for is the opportunity to show that I am able to earn a second chance as a University student. And if I am so fortunate, I believe that I also will demonstrate that I am a better man and a better human being for having lived through this unfortunate experience.”

It was Blount’s first public comment since an apology to reporters immediately following the Boise State game.

Blount and Kelly called Boise State coach Chris Petersen and Hout soon after the suspension to apologize. Kelly said Friday that the call was Blount’s idea.

There has been support for Blount among some of Oregon’s fans. Students at last weekend’s 42-3 upset of California at Autzen Stadium were seen wearing “Free Blount” T-Shirts.

Blount, a 6-foot-2, 240-pound transfer from East Mississippi Community College, rushed for 1,002 yards and a school-record 17 touchdowns last season.

Oregon has won three straight games since the loss to the Broncos. The No. 16 Ducks host Washington State on Saturday.